LIFE ON KAPITI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2776, 26 August 1924, Page 3

LIFE ON KAPITI.

A considerable improvement in natural conditions on Kapiti Island is recorded in' the annual scenerypreservation report of the Undersecretary of Lands, which was tabled in the House of "Representatives last week. The destruction of goats and the removal of sheep, states the report, is having a marked effect on the young forest growth and countless seedling plants are to be seen along the old tracks. Forty-nine goats were killed during the year and it is known that about forty still survive. They have become very alerl, and at the slightest sign of danger take refuge on the inaccessible cliffs along the western side of the island. Most of flic privately owned sheep have been removed from the Crown portion of (he island. Very few of any kind are now to he seen in the northern half, but in Hie south a large number of wild ones of lit tic* or no value continue to graze.on tlie open country and ainong (he scattered clumps of manuka and taiihinu. U is doubtful if they are worth the cost of mustering and transporting to the mainland, and il will probably he necessary to destroy them. Opossums have been kept in check hytrapping 18.')ft having been taken in this way during the vear. In October, 1923, seven kiwis were liberated. One has lately been seen in Taepiro Valley and one near the Government cottage, so there is reason to believe (hat they arc increasing in numbers.

A correspondent, writing from Rangiahun. Hokianga, states he was on Kapiti 19 years ago. Even then there were numbers of animals on the island, including weedy, longhorned cattle, jugs, and goats. Taupata grew plentifully on much of the coast, and the undergrowth was dense, consisting largely of kiekie, etc. Considerable groves of kuraka intermingled with other flora, existed on the western cliffs. Birds were very numerous, especially bellbirds, fuis, pigeons, parakeets and small birds. The taupata referred to on the coast, the undergrowth in the forest, and the trees on the western slope have now been destroyed by the animals, hut as the goats, sheep wild cattle and deer have now nearly all been got rid of, it will he an interesting object lesson to see how quickly the undergrowth will renew itself and regenerate the forest. There are, however, still a few goats and sheep left or the sanctuary and strenuous efforts should be made to exterminate these ere thy again multiply. Kapiti will then he what it was set aside for —a sanctuary for birds and forest, and a joy to all who visit it.