Arbor Day celebrations

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 2, 10 June 1986, Page 2

Arbor Day celebrations

Several schools in the Waimarino celebrated Arbor Day last Thursday by planting trees. The junior syndicate of Ohakune Primary School planted an Escallonia apple blossom shrub outside their classroom. Several pupils had a turn at digging the hole and the three youngest planted it. Senior pupils at Raetihi School used Arbor Day to plant a tree in memory of their classmate Michael Mott, who died last term. The totara was donated by Michael's grandparents, Mr and Mrs Walls of Raetihi.

The tree was planted at the front of the school during a ceremony attended by relations and friends of Michael. Speeches were given on the meaning of Arbor Day, about growth and new life. Five of Michael's class mates spoke about Michael and one of his close friends planted the tree. Ian Meredith, principal of Ruapehu College, said that pupils were to plant trees worth $500 as soon as the carpark and curb and channelling was completed at front of the school "We don't like to let a day

like this go by without doing something," he said. Both Pipiriki and Ngamatea School pupils are working on posters for a conservation competition at present. National Park School plant their trees in the spring as they find trees planted at this time of year do not survive the winter. The Forest service in Karioi did not celebrate Arbor Day. Howeveraspokesman for the service said trees will be donated to schools in the springtime when seedlings came from their nursery.