KAPITI.

Shannon News, 15 January 1926, Page 3

KAPITI.

VISIT TO ISLAND BY TABABUA TRAMPING CLUB MEMBERS. CLOSE ACQUAINTANCE WITH NATURE. Some years ago there was an annual excursion, to Kapiti Island from Foxtou, when a fairly, large number of Wellington and Manawatu residents went across to the island for the purpose of fishing and shooting. Portion of Kapiti has, as is generally known, been declared a bird sanciuaiy, and shooting is forbidden. Kapiti was a stronghold of the famous native chief Te Rauparaha, and was subsequently, like Mana Island, used as a whaling station. A sanctuary: The dictionary - describes it as a sacred place; a place of protection; a sacred asylum; a shelter. !So the Government of New Zealand declared the charming island of Kapiti, about seven miles across the sea from Paraparauniu,-a sanctuary for the bird c of the country, a place where no one shall go in pursuit of the feathered world nor harm them. However much their existence may be endangered on the mainland on Kapiti th'ey are safe; it is sanctuary, a sacred asylum; a shelter. To be exact the whole of.the island is not sanctuary, as a portion still belongs to the Native race and is occupied by them, and if possible'■ they aro more concerned to maintain the sanctity of the shelter for our native birds than even the parental Government, which is represented by a caretaker, who is charged with the 'duty of looking after it. In the.event of anyone venturing tp take a firearm to tha island and escaping the notice of tjio caretaker—a remote possibility—the probability is that the Maoris would, escort them courteously, but. firmly, back to their boat and request them to leave at once. The natives are descendants of generations which have lived on the island, and they have an abiding love for the home of their forefathers, possibly stronger than that of white people for the places in.which, they spent their childhoods' days. About 25 members of the Tararua Tramping Club spent the Christmas and New Year holidays on Kapiti Island, camping on property belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Webber. A '"Times" representative happened to see them landing on tho beach at Paraparaumu at the close of their holiday) and to all appearances they had spent a glorious time during those days they had been living close to nature. Tramping, rock climbing, fishing, bathing, had made them all the picture of health, and not one of them but looked as if he had taken a new lease of life. Their camp was in a sheltered spot, the weather was beautiful, and.they enjoyed eveiy minute of their stay on Kapiti. A gentleman of the party states that the bush is recovering rapidly and thousands of young seedlings are showing up everywhere since the goats have been destroyed. At one time the island was so overrun with goats that had not the authorities taken very strong measures it was only a matter of time when the forest life of the island would have completely disappeared. Even now there is virtually no growth between mature and seedlings. He was really delighted at the very great improve nrent that has been created in the f oresi aspect of the island, even in the last three years. He has been a frequent visitor to the island, so has beenablo to note the changed conditions. 1 hero are no pigs or deer on the island, opossums and birds being the only-wild animal life there. He hopes that ultimately .the opossum, which was .foohshj ly introduced to the island, will be trap I ped out. .. , ; It was rather difficult to say it tin bird life of the island was strongly on the increase, but he was of the opinion that it was increasing steadily, for tlitj saw large numbers of bell birds, tins, pis-eons, white headed canaries, wrens, wekas; parakeets, etc. Some oi the natives owned a portion of the island on whieh they live, and they are strong conservators of the wild life. The caretaker Mr. Wilkinson, has evident.ls *ot the goats well under, for there are now verv few on the island. Indeed, the Tararua Tramping Club members onlv saw one during their stay, in ■ years past the number ran into many thousands. A amount of planting has been done by the caretaker of. plants indigenous to the island, and.on the whole it is considered by authon- ! ties that the 'island shows much stronger evidence of becoming a real birc. sanctuary than ever previously in its history. , .. , -, „ During their stay on, the island a fair amount of fishing was done, ana some members of the club are hopeful that biff fishing sport, similar to tha. obtainable at Tanrnngo anil Russell, is available at Kapiti. The party, however, was not successful m obtammg anything larger than kingfish on tho rod, but the high winds prevailing and the running seas gave little opportunity of testing this theory. They went out once to the 50-fathom mark, but some of the party felt very seedy, and didn t care if they sank or swam. The island abounds in evidence o± occupation by early whalers. IVypots can still be seen at various points on the island, and the remains of tho old , chimneys still exist. A curious relic of the olden days is a nuinoer oi_ small Tfcd bricks—about one-third the size ni the ordinary red -Lrick used to-day--said I to have been made and brought over by < convicts from the old Tasmaman penaL settlement. • ' , , -, r- i One day while out in tho launch lisliine, a huge whale was sighted spouting off Te Kahu o.te rangi. The species was not' determinable, but it appeared t;o be a humpback, and was grey-brown in colour. Had the sea not been so rough, and so many ladies on board, a run out would have been made for a closer inspection.

Several climbs were made, some fairly steep, and on one occasion a member of the party leaned against a rock which gave way and fell on >is leg, inflicting a gash about Sin long, and for which he was taken over to Parapara-

mmi for medical attention, the wounl requiring several stitches. A few wekas also chummed up with the party and were hospitably entertained, but they abused the hospitality by attempting various thefts, ine) are very amusing birds. ■'■■'■ „ , Some members of the party made their first acquaintance with native foods, and truly enjoyed pawas mussels, boiled watercress and raunki, au of which, skilfully, cooked, w'ere delicious. It only shows what a tremendous amount of valuable foodstuffs are to be found round our coasts that at present remain practically untouched. The leader of the Tararua Trampei* also took a party to view the wreck ot the schoon'er Lily, which ran ashore on Kapiti three or four years ago. The company were virtually given in., full use of Mr. and Mrs. Wcbbe? s beautiful home. The latter is an examp.c ■ _ of what a home can b"e, even in a mos. out-of-the-way place. Hot and cold water are laid on to the different rooms, there is electric light throughout, complete and up-to-date sanitary arrangements, and the house is fitted with almost every conceivable convenience. A creditable picture-show can be put on. there is a billiard table; and of the Webber family provide u huimc:' i entertainment-vocal and instrument*—which would be a delight and a pleasure to most people to hear. The party greatly appreciated tlu many kindnesses shown them by Air.. and Mrs. Webber and members-of theii familv, and it was with sincere regret that they parted at the end of a most enjovabl'c holiday.—N.Z. Times..