WHALE ISLAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 54, 7 March 1944, Page 4

WHALE ISLAND

CONDITION AFTER FIRE

Messrs P. Cannell and "Scotty" Stewart, who have just returned after several day's liolidaj' on Whale Island have some rather interesting facts to report on the condition of our hump-backed friend.

According to them, the fire did more good than harm, as it burnt all the l'ern and undergrowth which choked up Sulphur gulley and other parts of the WJiale, but did not touch the Poliutukawas which add so much beauty to the place. They added that although the fishing was disappointing,, the goats are. still there in abundance, but all that can seen of the mutton birds, arc a few odd dismembered parts of theif wings and bodies, left, by the Maoris.

There was no flooding on the Whale such as we experienced here, and, the surrounding water is crystal clear, but the storm brought many great boulders down, leaving them perched perilously on the edge of cliffs and overhanging faces,, so that the. slightest disturbance would send them plunging down, creating quite a large avalanche.

One remarkable fact was the complete absence of mosquitoes. Although the party went equipped with mosquito netting etc. they saw not one- , The vacation was chopped somewhat short owing to the rain which started again after the downpour, but. both men agreed, that Whale Island is still certainly the place for a holiday.