-
32
4
Bull's Nose Banyan puts down new roots
The eastern banyan tree, which was caught in mid-flight after having been rooted to the spot before the First World War, was moved from the Bull's Nose at the Prince of Wales Barracks to its new position on the opposite side of Victoria Basin.
In what was a slow and delicate operation, the "flowerpot", which had been built around the tree's rootball, was lifted into the air and then lowered into a barge anchored alongside. Once the Banyan was secured, the barge made the 500-yard journey across the basin where the tree was removed and re-planted on the site of the former HMS Tamar's workshops.
To appease the God of the Earth, workmen lit joss sticks, burnt paper money and offered up a roasted pig to ensure the tree survived the journey and would take root and flourish in its new spot.
The eastern Banyan lay directly in the path of a proposed road and so work began six months ago to uproot it in preparation for its transfer. The size of its crown was reduced making it less heavy to move and causing less water to be lost through the leaves. Work was also carried out to prune back the tree's giant rootball.
The western tree is to remain in its old position and when reclamation is completed it will finally lie outside the boundary wall of the barracks, in the raids. verge.
End/Friday, July 7, 1995
176 redundant teachers found jobs
All redundant teachers registered with the Education Department's Place Service have been successfully placed in various aided primary schools, an Education Department said today (Friday). "The department would like to thank the sponsoring bodies and school authorities for their co-operation in accepting all 176 redundant teachers," the spokesman said.
He said all aided primary schools had been informed that there was no longer a need to reserve vacancies for redundant teachers.
The Placement Service, set up in 1975, has so far assisted some 7,000 redundant aided primary schools teachers in finding jobs.
End/Friday, July 7, 1995