KAPITI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1999, 5 July 1919, Page 1

KAPITI.

Mr Bendall, who visited Kapiti some time ag’o in company with Professor Kirk, gave a most picturesque account of the visit, besides a large amount of historical information, to the Palmerston Philosophical Society as to the romantic early days of the island, and old whaling days. Mr Bendall stated that it had been a matter of surprise to him to find how little the average person knew about Kapiti itself, and very few knew that nestling under its lee wei#three liny islets each only 1-i to 4 acres in extent, and it was upon these little dots in the ocean that a large party of whalers and storekeepers lived and flourished when whaling was the pioneer industry of the young colony. To the early navigators Kapiti was known as Enti'y Island, as it loomed up high on entering Cook Strait, It is distant about Similes from the main land, and communF cation is kept up by motor launch from Waikanae. The main island has an area of 4,990 acres, of which 500 is native owned, and 129 acres is privately owned, but the main portion is the property of the Crown, and is maintained as a bird and bush sanctuary. Up till a few months ago the island was over-run with wild goats introduced by the whalers, but these are now being destroyed on account of the havoc they cause. The island abounds with the usual creeks and water falls, all emptying on the eastern side, and the only flat land is a. small portion of Rangitira Point, and at the north end the Maoris have a settlement. Its .western side is a precipitous cliff 7 miles long, and running from 100 to 1,700 feet high. At the foot are jagged rocks and shingly beaches, making landing impossible, except after an easterly gale. As the prevailing wind is N.W., there is generally calm water on the eastern side, and at Rangitira Point, the caretaker, Mr J. T. Bennett, has his cottage and boathouse. The Maori sheep, which are owned by the Parata family, have broken bounds, and have wandered through the bush towards the south, where they cannot be mustered for the usual attention, consequently their fleeces are overgrown and in some eases are peeling off in great rolls and draggingafter the unfortunate animals, and gathering up “biddy bids,” thus causing the sheep much distress.' There are several open grassy valleys behind the steep wooded faces of the island, and at the south end there is a bay called Wharekhu, well sheltered from all winds but the south-east. At this spot the old whaling station was situated and the try pots are still to be seen. The first whaling gangs appeared to have reached Cook Strait about 1827, from Sydney and Hobart, while others were landed from American ships, and left for the season. In regard to the value of the island as a bird sanctuary, Mr Bendall considered it is eminently suited in every way on account of the splendid native bush. The melodious call of the tui is heard everywhere, while native pigeons are seen winging across from side to side. Fully two-thirds of the island is bush-cov-ered, and, from the number of birds ho saw, he considers the island is particularly Avell adapted for the purpose the Crown is reserving it for. Opossums were introduced some years ago, but as they developed a liking for the shoots and berries of the konini, and so deprived the birds of their favourite food, it was decided to clear (hem out, and a trapper who was engaged for some months in this work did this very effectually.

Of the three islets already referred to, the nearest onejo Kapiti is Motnnga rara, 31 acres in area. It was occupied by ITiko in 1839, and on Ibis islet there was a big American whaling station headed by Mayhow. The nfext islet is Tahora manroa, where Eauparaha had his

.stronghold, and a whaler named “Horse’’ Lewis was established. This was 3:1 acres in extent, conical in shape, with a very narrow beach. Further out towards the north, and about a mile from the other two islets, is a barren heap of rocks called Tokampuua—only 1A acres in area, and upon this was the smartest of the whaling stations,, headed by a man named Tommy Evans. About the middle of the main island is situated a tine open valley, which appeared to have been eulti-, vated in the early days of Maori occupation'. On the mainland this kind would be worth up to £IOO per acre, but at present only a few Maori sheep are running on it. The caretaker’s cottage is built in a charming position, and has great possibilities as a future health resort. It is situated on a terrace about 300 yards back from the beach, and looked eastwards towards 01 aid and Faekakariki. It was mentioned that the beach is strewn with huge logs of splendid ilrewood, constituting thousands of cords, and it is suggested that a party*of, say, returned soldiers, might charter a small scow, and organise a firewood picnic. A profitable and pleasurable time could be

put in by the parly sawing up the wood and boating it off to the scow, and the loss robust members of the party could keep ship and fish to their hearts’ content. In contrast to the old whaling methods, it was pointed out hat to-day ocean-going steamers are employed in whale hunting, and after a whale has been killed, a hollow tube is inserted into the carcase, and a steam pump inflates the body with air, so that it floats high in the water and renders it easy to tow. One of the launches engaged in whale hunting at present is motor driven, and has a speed of 35 knots; on a recent trip of 80 miles she consumed no less than seven cases of benzine. Against this boat a whale, has no chance of getting away.

In commenting on the paper, the chairman said that the damage being done to native game by the Maori sheep was a matter of regret. Ho moved that this meeting urge the-Minister of Lands to acquire the remaining portion of Kapiti Island in order that bird life might be more'fully preserved, and failing this that the native portion be fenced off.

As the result of these representations, the Government has decided to acquire the native portion of the island so that the sanctuary will not be violated in future.