WHALE ISLAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 29, 16 March 1942, Page 5

WHALE ISLAND

THE DISTRICT'S BAROMETER

CLOUD CAP MEANS RAIN?

Recent showery weather after a long drought lias prompted most people oi the Whakatane district to look at Whale Island, the accepted barometer of old residents who declare that its moods are an infallablc forewarning of the Aveathcr. As most of the rain in tlhe Eastern Bay of Plenty comes from the sea, Whale Island with its thousand foot peak, is the first to note the change of the atmosphere. Very often on an otherwise clear day the rounded top AAears a distinct cap of mist. This is caused by the condensation of the moisture-laden air, as it approaches the Avarmth of the earth and A'egetation of the AA'hale peak. Naturally being the highest point In the Bay (Edgecumbc being the only rival tAventy miles inland) it is first to catch and portray the Aveathcr, mood at its altitude. The; 'Rain Cap' Rrom the earliest day settlers have noted the phenomenon and in changeable weather have acted accordingly. The Maoris too have watched the peak for centuries before the Palteha's arrival. They too have their legends and stories about the misty cap, and doubtless used it as a Aveather guide. Many an inland farmer to-day repeats, "If you cant' see the Whale, there's rain approaching" and in ninety-nine cases he is right. Even those at a distance Avhose situation only alloAvs them a glimpse of the to,p of the famous rounded head, have learnt to look to* it for weather A'aguaries. Seen From Hillcrest On the coast, it is someAvhat different, for those A\*ho scan the sea, take note also of the haze on the horizon the AA'ind—and cloud drift, and the state of the sea. From Hillcrest the Whale is best seen in all its varied changes. The most effective is after rain Avlien the peak breaks through the surrounding murk and shines out. green and fresh in the sunlight. There is no more arresting or fascinating picture than that —according to one of Whakatane's cliff-dwellers.

So the old 'Whale' continues to send its Avarnings inland. Its singular appearance, height and position has given our tOAvn a feature all its own. Ships at sea know the approximate position of Whakatane, not by the contour of the land but by the position of the celebrated Whale —remarked 011 by Captain Cook and logged by every subsequent explorer Avho sailed this coast.