KAPITI SANCTUARY.

Shannon News, 10 March 1922, Page 4

KAPITI SANCTUARY.

AND HOW TO PRESERVE IT. Referring to the existing bush on Kapiti Island, and how best to preserve and extend it, Captain E. Sanderson, speaking to a New . Zealand Times representative, said: — „ “To preserve and extend the existing bush on Kapiti (on which the native bird food supply depends) and to make the island an effective sanctuary, it is necessary to-carry out certain work which may be divided into two groups—the' more urgent and the less urgent. All the work is urgent, but the following is submitted as the immediate requirements to prevent total destruction: —

“The erection of a thoroughly sheepproof fence (eight wire, or bet-tei*.still), wire and netting) on the north bounddary —every day this is neglected means great damage. Immediately this fence is erected, the sheep should be mustered twice or thrice —musterers to be armed with rifles and to shoot all goats met with and any sheep uninusternble.

“A party of four reliable and able men to follow up with goat-shooting operations under caretaker for at least one month. Any remaining; goats to be zealously and vigorously hunted by caretakers until the,last one lias been destroyed, thus finishing; the goat question once •, .id for all. The Opossums.

“In June, the right to take opossums be lot to four or five trappers, each having his appointed area, who shall sign an agreement, to pay a royalty, to bring no guns on the island, or dogs, cut no standing timber, and ill every way respect the sanctuary—one breach to cancel all right to take or remove any skins, and all skins taken to be surrendered and confiscated. The two best trappers to be kept on and continue trapping, and to be paid a bonus

per skin to enable them to make a living- if tke opossums are scarce after original trapping. So much for the

immediate requirements. The less urgent requirements, some of which are almost equally necessitous, are as follow: — Other Suggestions. “The introduction of pukeko, two

more kiwis (which arc ground feeders, and should prosper), two more kakapo, as none of these have been seen (they are vegetarian ground feeders living in holes, in roots, and rocks). “Some planting should be done in open country of trees most likely to till in any gaps in routine of bird food, as for instance kalmkitca in Taepiro Grullcy; also miro, cabbage tree, flax, titoki, kowhai, thousand jacket. (Koekoc, karaka, tawa, rata abound on the island).

“Another lagoon should be formed at the south end, which can be easily done by damming the creek with stones from the beach, and clay, at a cost of less than £2O. The Western Cliffs.

“The question of the great bare cliffs on the western side, seven miles long and rising to 1720 feet in height, is a unique one; but once the goats and sheep arc removed, much growth will automatically spring up on those, as the wind only affects the top edge of any cliff. These cliffs, bv the rvay, are only perpendicular at the top; the lower parts are much more sloping than is evident from looking over the top of the cliffs. Sugarberry, taupata, tutu, karaka should be introduced here, and will add vastly to the bird food supplies. “The island, to be thoroughly equipped, should have a second caretaker at the south end and another at the north should the natives ever change their present attitude, all of whom should be eo'nnected by telephone; and a road or track for cycle, motor-cycle, or horse, to enable caretakers to move quickly down east coast, would much facilitate their work. The west coast is too rough to land on, and, therefore, protects itself. ,}