Robyn Parkes
Arbor Day was a custom first practised by some of the States of the American Union where one day in the year was set aside for tree planting.
It was adopted by Greytown, NZ, with their first Arbor Day taking place in August 1890, but began to spread around the country after that.
The Government gazetted 4 August 1892 to be the first Arbor Day nationwide and encouraged communities to take part in the reason for the day. In Collingwood, the County Council passed on the request to the community but nothing appears to have been organised for the day, however in 1893 the Council and community had organised an event for the 4th of August. Unfortunately, it was postponed until the 29th of August due to bad weather.
The Sports Committee sourced a large supply of trees to be planted at the new sports/recreation ground to improve its appearance. Captain Stevens, of the Lady Barkly, donated a number of trees and two Nelson merchants donated a guinea each to the committee’s funds.
The day began with beautiful weather and shortly after 10am the grounds were a scene of busy activity with over 100 people, both young and old, gathering to take part. They were set to work with planting multiple varieties of trees and every child was given a tree to plant under the supervision of an adult.
At one o’clock the ladies of the community laid out a picnic lunch which was enjoyed by all and after a short rest the remainder of the trees were planted by 4pm. Although over three hundred trees were planted it was still not enough to provide a double row right around the grounds.
As the afternoon ended the billy was boiled and more kai provided for a picnic on the grass. To close off a great day, the young ones of the community gathered at the hall for an evening dance.
The following year Arbor Day was held on the 1st of August giving the Sports Committee the opportunity to undertake and complete the planting at the sports grounds. Trees again were donated and the local residents gathered with their own provisions and equipment. Unfortunately, the weather was not good, so the planned picnic was cancelled but the afternoon was better, allowing for around 100 trees to be planted. The planned evening ball was also postponed and a smaller social dance held instead, with around 20 couples attending. Not all the trees had been planted so a half day was organised to complete the task after which the ball and supper took place at the hall.
In Ferntown all the residents turned out to plant over 50 ornamental trees on the school grounds. There appeared to be little interest in Arbor Day at Takaka, one reason being the trustees of the Athletic Reserve were in the process of disposing of their recreation ground due to its location and to secure land at a more central position.
Anatoki Committee, together with friends and children, surrounded their newly-erected school building with a variety of ornamental trees and shrubs, followed by an afternoon tea.
