ARBOR DAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 August 1938, Page 6

ARBOR DAY

CEREMONY AT THE CENTRAL SCHOOL. TREES PLANTED BY PUPILS. Yesterday being the day set aside as Arbor Day the pupils of the Central School assembled in the school recreation ground in the afternoon to plant a row of Lombardy poplars at the south end. The trees were so allotted that each class planted some so that the planting of the whole row was a co-operative effort representing the work of all standards. Prior to the planting, the headmaster, Mr E. G. Coddington, addressed the assembled scholars on the significance of the day. Essays were read by Helen Gaskin and Brian Beecroft on the value of trees from the points of view of beauty, shade, shelter, prevention of erosion and flooding, bird life and the provision of innumerable useful articles like fruit, nuts, foods, cork, timbers, resin, rubber, oils, etc. Form II also recited chorally “The Pines” (Longfellow) and “Trees” (Joyce Kilmer).

■While the planting was in progress, the drum and trumpet band played. In another portion of the ground the children of the primer classes, under Miss Wallis, planted a row of Ake ake (Olearia).

At the close of the ceremony a quite impressive sight was presented when the whole school in column of fours, led by the drum and tr.urq.pet band, marched the length of the ground. Owing to indisposition Mr W. R. Nicol of the Wellington Education Board was unable to be present and sent his apologies.