TIMARU
Craigie Ave in the traffic islands
James Craigie provide the money for the pin oak trees. The are now various specimens in the median strip.
He was mayor for ten years as well as chairman of the harbour and hospital boards. He donated the statue of Robert Burns in the botanic gardens, the Craigie Avenue oak trees and the chimes for the town clock.
On the monument it reads:
This avenue of trees is the gift of James Craigie Esq., M.P. Mayor of Timaru 1902 to 1912. This stone was erected by the citizens.
Whenever Prince Charles participates in a tree-planting ceremony, he gives one of the branches a handshake to wish it well.
Timaru Herald 12 October 1905 Page 4
In 1905 without warning Mr Craigie asked the council to accept a gift, a plantation of trees, a double row of trees along the centre of the two chain wide West Belt of the original borough, to be planted and maintained by the council. The Council of course accepted the offer. The Mayor placed Mr Harney in charge of the preparation of the ground and in the afternoon of 11th October the planting was carried out. Assisted by Mr Brown, curator of the Park, had had holes dug and a tree laid out for each. The trees were obtained from Wellington as it was found to be impossible to procure trees of the size desired in either Canterbury, Otago or Southland. Mr Craigie spoke and was particularly glad to see some of the pioneers of Timaru present. those who had seen the town when it was all in a state of tussock. He hoped next year to add another section, carrying the avenue to College road and the following year year to complete it to the Main south road. The tree planting began at the north street end. The Mayoress planted the first tree, at the north-west corner and Archdeacon Harper the next on the same side. The Mayor then planted a selected oak, several years old, at the north east corner. Individuals, men and women then in turn helped to plant trees throughout two blocks. A list was kept of the persons taking part in the planting.
8th April 1916 ODT
Movement, which has been on foot for some time, with the object of permanently commemorating Mr James Craigie's splendid gift of an avenue of trees to Timaru, was brought to a successful completion on Saturday by the erection of a memorial stone at the head of Craigie avenue. The stone is a handsome granite obelisk, supported by a bluestone base mounted on concrete. The monument is suitably inscribed. There has been no unveiling ceremony in connection with the erection of the stone, Mr Craigie, it is understood, having deprecated the suggestion that money should be spent in that way during war times.
Timaru Herald, 21 June 1887, Page 3
Winchester, June 20. The Queen's was commemorated in Winchester to-day. At 3 p.m. the school children assembled at the schoolhouse, and followed by a goodly sprinkling of the townspeople, and headed by the oak, marched to the domain. On arriving m the centre of the park the procession halted, and formed a circle round the spot selected for the planting of the Jubilee Oak." The Chairman of the Domain Board, Mr J. A. Young, then addressed the assemblage as to the purpose for which they had met, and called upon Mr H. Cooke, master of the Winchester school, to address them on the historical events of Her Most Gracious Sovereign's reign. Mr Young next called upon Mrs Young to plant the Jubilee oak, remarking that Mrs Young had planted the first tree in Winchester, and that he, as chairman of the Domain Board, had been commissioned to request her to plant the oak in celebration of the Queen's Jubilee. Mrs J. A. Young then planted the tree in a most systematic manner, after which each child and many of the adults present took the spade and assisted in the work of covering the roots of the tree. The children then sang the following verses, composed for the occasion by Mr J. A. Young
Grow stately oak for ages grow
In memory of the past;
Stand many summers' gentle breeze,
And many wintry blast.
May the aged sit beneath thy boughs,
And little children play;
Tell why this oak was planted here
On this auspicious day.
We'll sing God bless our Noble Queen
As we stand round this tree
'Twas planted to commemorate Her year of Jubilee.
After the Jubilee ode was sung, Mr Young briefly addressed the children, calling their attention to the loyalty of their-parents, who had that day planted; the tree in honor of their Queen, and he trusted the children present would follow the example of their elders, and continue loyal to their Queen and country. He hoped they would project the, tree, and should any attempt be made to injure it they would reply
“Oh master, spare that tree,
Damage not one single bough
’T was loyal hearts that planted it,
Oh pray protect it now. ”