KAPITI ISLAND.

Shannon News, 17 December 1926, Page 1

KAPITI ISLAND.

VISIT OF ADVISORY BOARD. LADY PERGUSSON TO VISIT THE ISLAND. On Friday last the Kapiti Island Advisory Board paid one of its periodical visits to, Kapiti for the purpose of viewing conditions on the Island, particularly with regard to native forest and bird protection. The members present were Professor Kirk, of Victoria College, Messrs Mcintosh, Commissioner of Crown Lands, W. H. Field, M.P., E. Phillips-Turner, Secretary of the Forestry Department, Arthur Seed, of the Forestry League Council, and Kenneth Dalrymple, of Bulls. Doctor Cockayne was, unfortunately, unable to join ' the party, which was quartered at the cottage of the custodian, Mr. A. S. Wilkinson. On Saturday, the whole day was spent in climbing from the mouth of the Te Rere stream, north of Rangatira Point, to the summit, 1725 feet; thence along the top of the Western Cliff to Taepiro Valley, and from there south to the basin at Kaiwharawhara, the most beautiful portion of the Island, find back to Rangatira by way of the Eastern coast line. Careful examination was made of the original forest, and also of the many young trees planted by Mr.. Wilkinson, as well as of the bird life. The visitors expressed themselves more than satisfied with the success of Mr. Wilkinson 's work/ and the wonderful regeneration of the undergrowth, which, until recently, had been, eaten out by goats. Owing to the good work of-the late caretaker, Mr. James Bennett, and that of Messrs Wilkinson and R. Fletcher, there are practically no goats left-on the Island. Mr. Wilkinson estimates that there are only 4 remaining. A careful tally has been kept of the goats destroyed, and this indicates plainly that the estimate of 3000 made a few years back was a gross exaggeration. A fact to be deplored is the .mortality among the large rata trees, which .occurred some years ago. The cause has never been satisfactorily explained., 'fortunately, however, many well grown ratas were found to have survived, and to be thoroughly healthy. The condition of the forest, otherwise, was that all could be desired. The opossums, too, have been much reduced in numbers, but it was found, as Professor Kirk reported after careful recent investigation, that the opossums were doing, no appreciable damage to the Native forest. On the Southern end of the Island, there are still about 1000 wild sheep, which are destroying the under-growth in places, but which are soon to, be exterminated.

On Sunday a party of the visitors proceeded along the coast line south from Rangatira, and ascended the steep face north of the Taepiro stream to see what is said to be the largest koromiko (Veronica) tree in New Zealand. They afterwards inspected a large area of the forest to the south of the Trig Station, and again; visited the. summit, descending thence to Rangatira. It was found that the Trig Station, with its multitude of inscribed . had. been blown over, and lay helplessly some way down the Western Cliff. A rather stiff Southerly prevented the party visiting Wharekohu, at the south end of the Island, on Sunday, as-they had intended to do, and there was no time to call upon the Webbers at Wairorua on the north end.

The friendly weka was seen everywhere, and numbers of kakas &ni pigeons, as well as the smaller denizens of the forest. At Rangatira, tuis andbell birds were abundant, and the visitors were delighted to find that Mr. Wilkinson had so far tamed a number of tuis, bell birds and pipits that they exhibited no fear of . mankind, and supped freely of sweetened water placed on the verandah, and even came indoors for nourishment. These birds sang their appreciation in glorious notes in the surrounding trees. Many excellent fish were caught, and formed a welcome addition to the party's bill of fare. A pair of penguins nest year after year in a t>ox in the boat-shed, and grey duck and fantails are rearing their young within a hundred yards of the homestead. Mr. Wilkinson has established a charming and extensive rock garden alongside his house, and most of the plants are now in full bloom, forming a blaze of lovely colour. . Lady Alice Fergusson has intimated her desire to make a short stay on the Island early in the New YeaT.