THE FUTURE OF KAPITI ISLAND

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1172, 6 July 1911, Page 5

THE FUTURE OF KAPITI ISLAND

INTENTIONS OP THE GOVERNMENT.

A desperate attempt is being made to tako Kapiti away from tlio goals, the wild cats, and the straying sheep and give it j to moro respectablo and profitable occupants. An agitation in that direction lina been in progress for some time. Thoso who are interesting themselves in the matter hayo ii firm conviction that the historic island will make an ideal tourist resort, and that portions of its liow littleused hillsides and dales will feed respectable (locks of sheep and herds of cuttle.

Yesterday, llio movement.. culminated in a deputation to the Minister, inio whose portfolio tlie administration of Kapiti comes ((ho Hon. D. Huddo). Tho deputation was inlrodueed bv the member for the district, Mr. \V. 11, Field, Mand consisted of the Hon. C. 11 Mills, Messrs. Malcolm Maclean, W. J Howell. F. W. Smith, R. Stnnsell, nu< C.Jv. Eainsi'ord.

Tho argument? in favour of tho proposal wore outlined by tho deputation mid followed tho lines of what has already own published. In the course of a lengthy reply tho Minister said tho subject was a big: one. Ho recognised there was a future for tho islam). It; should bo a popular resort for Wellington residents. It was evident that rcvri'utiun grounds must by provided in tho vicinity of Wellington for tho future. In- liapiti they had 0110 of tho most promising places of that sort that could be thought ot. Tho Minister hart recommended to the Government that tho goats on tho island should be destroyed, and a contract to achieve that object 1 had . been authorised. Tho lato caretaker of the island had also said that Angora B ?r ats ,m I°' thriv<! tllore > l]llt lln( ' nied. oil. Iho climate did not suit them. Cats wore favoured because they were tho alternative to rats which d'estroved the bird-life—ami Knpiti was a bird sanctuary. Tim late carelalu-r preferred tho cats. If tlicy got too numerous they could bo poisoned off. A resident caretaker had been appointed to look after the island and he Would take up his duties ou July 10. Ho would see to tlio planting ol trees and other preservation, boniothing moro profitable would bo dono with tho island than to allow stragglinß sheep to over-run it. In order to make tho island popular with visitors somo accommodation would bo required, and th« landing dago would have to be improved. Ho did not think tliero woald be &ufficionf. inducGinoiil* to provide sloopinc nceommodation for tho public, but a room might, be put up for light refreshments. It was hoped to cxehango certain Government lands on other parts of the' island for five hundred acres held by (ho Natives in tho centre, and this would bring the Government lands together in ! one piece. Above all the intention of tho (jovornraont was to keep the island a , sanctuary for I\en- Zealand birds 1