LIFE ON A SMALL ISLAND.

Shannon News, 8 February 1929, Page 3

LIFE ON A SMALL ISLAND.

HOLIDAY-MAKERS' ENFORCED

STAY.

EXPERIENCE A PLEASANT ONE . AFTER ADVENTURE WITH THE WAVES'.

INTERESTING NATURAL

FEATURES

The experience of being marooned on an island may be good, bad, or indifferent, according to the climatic conditions and the means for sustaining life. In the case of a party which included Levin residents, during a recent holiday, it was pleasant enough, but they retain vivid memories of their attempts to regain the mainland. The place of their detention wa<? Motungarara, a fertile islet of five acres situated just a few chains from Kapiti Ifcland,'at the southern end facinar the mainland, and somewhat sheltered on the south by the still smaller Brown's Island.

The party, which left Paraparaumu on .the m'orning of Tuesday, Jsnuan 22nd, crossing the channel by the fishing launch Thetis to Kapiti, consisted of Mr and Mrs McAlley, of Levin, Mr Rainc (brother of Mr? McAlley), of Levin, Mr and Mrs J. R. Cruiekshank, 'of .' New Plymouth, and their son Finlay,'Miss Richmond, of Palmerston North, Miss M. Hill, of Feilding, and Mr Cheetham, of Palmers.ton North. The fisheimen in the launch were the Messrs Watson brothers, Johnston and son, and Maurice Field.. The objective of the trip Avas the Government bird sanctuary, on the central part of Kapiti. The party landed there and were met by the curator, Mr Wilkinson, permits being necessary to visit this reservation. Strangers seem to be .detected by the birds from a, distance, and it was a 'little while before the visitors were able to realise that they were in a home of the feathered creation. However, their patience was rewarded eventually by glimpses of green parrakeets, bellbirds and other genera, and during lunch they were visited by one of the wekas which are notably tampon tho island. Mr Wilkinson, who has ft cotiage for Mrs Wilkinson ana himself, has a. beautiful rock garden of native flowers and a fine collection of bird photos. ' TERRIFYING SEAS. In the afternoon the party proceeded io Motungarara, whore they landed about three o'clock. They were charmed with- the scenery, and after a pleasant excursion they put off at 6.20 p.m., intending to return to the mainland. It was not long before a storm, overtook the craft, and a rough time was. experienced in the "rip," where the current runs from six to seven miles on hour, between Kapiti and the main land. The launch had done more than half the journey, when the fishermen decided that the party could not be landed, a's it would be unsafe to use the dinghy. The only alternative was a return to Motungarara, and it was when the launch was turned that an awkward situation developed, high seas breaking over the vessel and drenching the company. Water was shipped during the .greater part of tlu; return journey, and to people on the Paraparaumu shore there were times when only two feet of the mast were visible above the spray. The young fisherman at the helm handled the vessel splendidly, and the calm presence of mind on 'the part of the crew did much 'to reassure the 'passengers. Eventually the holiday-makers, some of whom were sick through the pitching of the launch or because they had swallowed salt water, were landed safely on Motungarara. There are two huts'belonging to the fishermen there, and on this occasion they had to accommodate .16 people, as the oAvners had already a couple of guests,. Mr Watson gave his hut up to the ladies, and the men occupied the other hut. All the visitors ware greatly impressed by the cleanliness and comfort of the huts, no less than by the threat hospitality of the fishermen.

FISH, PENGUINS AND LIZABDS

During their, enforced stay the party lived on fish and vegetables, there being quite a fine garden on the island, The ladies learnt to cook Avith the car.ip oven, an' art which was well known throughout the colony in iU early days. The little island was ex ploied, and the time was passed happily in. .observing various natural features. Somewhat to the surprise of most of the visitors, penguins were encountered. The curiosity of these birds prompts them to use their beaks rather freely, so the strangers did not prolong the acquaintance, but they were deeply interested to see young penguins swimming about under

water, six or eight inches below the surface. Another feature of the island is one that is indicated when the name Motungarara is translated, meaning "The Home of the Lizard." The reptiles, wh'u»h are black and just a few inches Jong, were seen darting about among the rocks, but were toj wary to be caught.

A SUCCULENT SHELLFISH

A change from everyday fare was j the diet of the visitors during their j two days on the island, as blue cod, ; terakihi and schnapper figured pro- j mincntly on the menu. They also had crayfish and a . delicacy unknown to ' most Europeans—the pawa shellfish, which Avas fried and found to be very rich. Tht re is a wireless receiving set on Motungarara, but at present it is only fitted Avith car-phones. However, it is a boon to the few inhabitants.

as it keeps them in touch with much that is going on in the outside world. Brown's Island' also has a wireless set.

The areials were blown down in th-3 storm towards the end of the week, a visitation that also wrecked the garden on the larger islet. Mr and Mrs Andrews, who live on Brown ; s Island, were very kind to the stranded holi-day-makers; on the Wednesday _ they came across in a dinghy to inquire as to the visitors' condition and subsequently sent over in Mr Andrews' charge extra provisions and blankets. Brown's Island is rocky and comparatively barren, and the only beach it possessed—a strip of ;shingle—was washed away by the storm.

FIRST LADIES ON ISLAND,

Among the natural features of Motungarara that attracted attention was the sand, which, being of a golden colour, reminded some members of the partv of beaches they had known in the Old Country. The native vegetation was remarkable for the beauty and size of the ngaio trees, which ex<ceeded in proportions any of this family that the party had seen on the mainland. The l&dies were the first whe have stayed on the island; they walked right round it, and were greatly taken with its natural beauty, especially the little bays with Avhieh the inner coast is fringed. The men of the party had capital fishing, catching a g.iod quantity of blue cod and terakilVi.

CRYSTAL-CLEAR WATER,

As a icsult of the party's adventure they have discovered that a visit to the adjacent islands is well worth including in the itinerary of a trip to Kapiti, There is such a variety of sights to be S3cn that the expedition is an experience to be cherished through a lifetime. Not the least interesting feature, in calm weather, is the Avnter under the lee of the islands; it is crystal clear, and the movements of many kinds of fish can be follOAved with the eye quite distinctly.

LACK OF SIGNAL SERVICE

One need that calls for attention, now that the islands are coming in for a good deal of public notice, is some method of signalling to the mainland. Cables and wireless transmitting set* are too costly under the circumstances, but an electric morse lamp worked from a battery, would probably meet the requirements. Then, in the case cf any misadventure, or of uersons landing safely after a rough passage, the news could be flashed across to Paraparaumu with much saving of time. COURAGEOUS WOMEN. The life of women in these outposts is lonely, but the pioneering spirit asserts itself and the days pass more happily, perhaps, than they do with many city wives. Now and then there arc mishaps, as when Mrs Wilkinson broke an ankle some months ago, A doctor Avas brought over to the island and the limb Avas set, but iater the patient again suffered an injury in the same place, frcm which she is now gradually recovering. On Brown's Island is a woman in whose life is repeated the spirit of perseverance which enabled the original British immi-grants'-to lay the foundations of the New Zealand of to-day, for Mrs AndrcAvs' life before she came to thh country Avas spent in London. Her outlook is quite cheerful, although sh.; remains for months at a time on the rock Avhieh she and her husband inhabit. - .-■■'. The Government; Commission visited Kapiti the*week before the incidents narrated above, and they found that the native plant-life had .made tremendous growth, this no doubt being attributable to the fact that there are now no Avild sheep or goats on the Government reservation.

A SAFE EETUEN. The excursionists, after staying tAVo nights and clays on Motungarara, wen successfully ferried across the channel on the Thursday, and they were fortunate to have made the return journey when they did. Had they delayer their departure by an hour, they would have been marooned until the Sunday, as another storm came up. On Anniversary. 4)ay a separate party of holiday-makers were detained on Kapiti, and they did not manage tj return until the Sunday. They includ e-d a number of ladies, and dining their enforced stay they Avere accommodated at Mr Webber's homestead, on th northern portion of the island, and Aver very hospitably treated. One boa; was able to land its passengers on th; return trip on the Tuesday. Thi---,vas Mr /Watson's. The dinghy Avas lost, and the party had to be carried ashore. Then the Avater became so lough that the treAV who had done this duty could not make their Avay back to the boat, and Mr Watson, who was in charge of the craft, was forced to return alone with it to Motungangar»; The dinghv Avas recovered several days later.