ON KAPITI ISLAND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3927, 6 April 1929, Page 2

ON KAPITI ISLAND.

AN EASTER HOLIDAY. Two Foxtou residents were fortunate in being able to obtain a permit from the Commissioner of Crown Lands to spend a few days on historic Ivapiti Island during the Easter holidays. Thousands of people .travelling by rail and along the highway have admired this ver-dure-clad island from the mainland or from the heights of Paekakariki but to actually set foot upon it and tramp along its eastern rock-bound shore or wander up iaud through its Inisli-elad hills, and listen to the entrancing notes of the native birds, is the experience and delight of a life time. Arriving at Paraparaumu beach on Thursday morning, in glorious weather, we sighted the caretaker’s launch riding at anchor a few chains from shore and were not long in making the acquaintance of the caretaker himself, AH'. Wilkinson and his assistant) Dick Fletcher. Also on the beach was an erstwhile Foxtonian in the person of Air. Geo. (Langley who gave us a hearty greeting and with whom we ex • changed some personal Foxtou gossip." George is now living in retirement.

Both the caretaker and Dick took casual glances seawards while waiting for the belated arrival of a third guest from Wellington. Delays are sometimes dangerous on account of the sudden change in the weather and no risks in crossing can be taken with a light powered By the way, the Government is providing the caretaker with a more .modern launch at an early date. On the arrival of the third passenger, we got aboard the dinghy and transferred to the launch and up .anchor and away across the Three and three-quarter stretch of: smooth water to Ivapiti. We were (landed on a. boulder-strewn beach about the centre of the island, near a beautiful waterfall—-a. little to the south of Te Rauparaha’s inlet. Great rock sentinels stood up as if in definanice of the breakers. We (waved farewell to the genial caretaker, as we were to foe Dick’s guests at bis but, snugly set in a valley high above sea level, the approach to which was by a narrow path up the cliff, leading into a delightful wooded vale. We were greeted by the whirring winged bight of pigeons as they flew from one karaka tree to another, for the berries were ripe. In this treeclad vale, tuis, bell birds, robins, tom-tits and fan tails flew fearlessly hither and 'thither, their notes ringing out in a chorus of joyous freedom. Near the hut several weteas darted out from the undergrowth and crossed our path. In fact they were far more Cheeky than the domesticated fowl. Behind the hut the bush-clad and precipitous hill towered hundreds of ' feet skyward. In front is a . steep cliff' covered with ti-tree from the top of Which a glorious view is obtained of the mainland and adjacent islands and the Kaikoras. Further along the valley from the but and to the south is a rippling stream of clear limestone water, about as “hard” as Foxton’s artesian supply. Our arrival at the hut synchronised with hunger. Dick was not long in putting the kettle on a roaring Are in the wide open lire place, land soon our hunger was appeased by a substantial meal. Dick introduced us to his two faithful canine pals —“Doon” and “Joe” —a pair of well-trained and intelligent hunting dogs. Calling to “■Doon" the father of “Joe,” he said:

' “Baerauai mau te kai-one-two-three” and “Doon” sat on his haunches and gave three barks. “Louder,” said Dick and “Doon” accelerated with three more and was rewarded with a piece of food. Like (little Tom Tucker, “Doon” always sings for his supper. These two dogs are the bosom chums of Dick and accompany him on his long journeys and share the honour of ridding the island of sheep and goats, both of which are now practically extinct. The inferior of the lmt was that of a typical hunter. Suspended from the rafter's were numerous opossum skins ready for the market and tacked to the outside walls were other skins of recent 'captures. The dog’s account for more opossums than do the (raps. They scent or spy out the animals high up in their leafy bowers and Dink, armed with a stick, scales the trees like a steeplejack and wins. We were not only spectators but participants in one of these hunts and one of the partywwill not soon forget his involuntary down hill slide through missing his foothold in the hunt.

In a few months’ time it is hoped to clear the island of opossums. As the island is a. bird and forest sanctuary all hindrances to the jiatural growth of the trees and propagation of bird life must be removed, hence the war of extermination. The next animal to go will be the rat, which preys upon the birds eggs. After the first arduous afternoon’s up-hill climbing, came a good supper and' refreshing night’s rest, to be awakened at dawn next morning by a chorus of feathered songsters. In a subsequent issue we will give an account of some interesting trips to historic spots.