The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, August 26, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1035, 26 August 1911, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, August 26, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Reference was made at the conference of Acclimatisation Societies in Wellington this week to Kapiti Island, which is set apart as a bird sanctuary. An agitation has been afoot to bring pressure to bear on the Government to have the island thrown open to tourists and week-enders. This agitation was strongly condemned by the conference. Referring to this, Mr P. J. O’Regan said that it the native birds of the Dominion were to be saved from extinction it could only be done by placing them on the adjacent islands and declaring the islands sanctuaries. It was absolutely hopeless to save the native birds in the sanctuaries on the mainland owing to the depredations of stoats and weasles. There was a proposal on foot for throwing Kapiti Island open as a tourist resort. Behind the whole scheme there were the machinations of a small clique of mercenaries. When the South Island Main Trunk line was completed there was a proposal to have a terminus for the North Island at Porirua or some other place along the coast opposite Picton, and Kapiti was in the scheme for being made into a tourist resort. There was a good deal of scheming going on to bring this about. If Kapiti became a holiday resort it was doomed as a bird sanctuary. He hoped the conference would be unanimous in speaking against such a proposal. Mr O’Regan said there was a syndicate of speculators at work. The following remit was carried unanimously by the Conference: “That the Government be requested to acquire from the natives any land forming part of the island of Kapiti, at present belonging to such natives, and that the whole island be kept as a sanctuary for birds.” The remit was subse-

quently submitted to the Minister ! of Internal Affairs (Hon D. Buddo) by a deputation. The Minister said it would cost a large sum of money to buy the area owned by the natives. It was a grazing farm as well managed as any on the coast. To purchase would be useless as well as costly, for it would be found that the wretched tawhini weed would soon get hold of the land, and the birds would not rest in it. There was a small patch in the middle of the bush consisting of 445 . acres which it would be desirable for the Government to acquire, and negotiations were now being carried on with that end in view. If the Government obtained the block all its land on the island would then be together. It was very necessary that the country should be grazed. He admitted that the sanctuary was not giving the results expected of it, and more attention would have to be given to it. It was a splendid thing to have a sanctuary of 3500 acres isolated from the mainland, except lor a grazing farm. It was in the interests of the birds that precautions should be taken against fires. Certain areas should be planted for shelter purposes, and trees suitable for bird food should be introduced, as there was a scarcity of food now for the feathered tribe. He would like the societies to join with him in having something practical done. He had no idea of making the island a tourist resort, but he would like to see it accessible to those who took an interest in bird life, and who wished to see what native birds remained in the country. Birds were becoming scarcer year by year, and it seemed almost impossible to keep them in private sanctuaries on the mainland. The Government would not be justified in abolishing the present grazing farm.

A suggestion has been made to us that the Town Hall should be opened by a citizens plain and fancy dress ball. If this means were adopted, we are informed that sufficient funds would be obtained to procure a piano for the building. Those who cannot dance could pay a reduced price of ad m issiou to ‘ ‘ look on. ” Another suggestion is that a first-class miscellaneous concert be organised which, it is argued, would be an inducement to attract numbers of people who don’t care for dancing, but who would be prepared to pay a little extra for the novelty of attending the first public function in the new hall. Public opinion is against the hall being let to any outside function for the opening night, as the takings for the first night should go towards the payment of a piano for the building. No doubt the matter will be definitely arranged by the Council at its meeting on Tuesday night. It is expected that the hall will be completed towards the end of next month.