NOBLE MOUNTAINS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 December 1938, Page 15 (Supplement)

NOBLE MOUNTAINS

BEAUTIES OF THE TARARUA RANGE A MAGNIFICENT TRAMPING GROUND. THE BUSH AND ITS BIRD LIFE. Wairarapa towns are particularly fortunate in having within easy reach one of the finest areas of bush and mountain scenery to be found anywhere in the Wellington district. Flanking the Wairarapa Valley on the western side, the Tararua Ranges present an imposing background to the fertile plains and no better or more comprehensive view of the ranges- is obtainable than that from Masterton. Residents of this town and the immediate district are greatly favoured in having such a magnificent setting for their homes and in the winter time especially, when the mountains are capped with snow, the ranges are most picturesque.

For many years the Mount Holdsworth area has been the most popular portion of the mountain range for residents of. Masterton and Carterton. Its popularity is well' deserved, as it has a good access road right to the edge of the forest reserve. The bush, river and mountain scenery of the region is most attractive and there is an excellent track to the summit of Mount Holdsworth, 4,835 feet high, from which a commanding view may be obtained of the whole of the Wairarapa and East Coast district. Accommodation is provided for visitors to this area by a mountain house on Holdsworth at an altitude of 2,300 feet while Bannister Hut. at the end of the motor road, is available for shelter if necessary.

The provision of these and other facilities has been carried out by a band of enthusiasts, who for many years past have spent much time and effort in improving the general amenities of the mountain resort for trampers and other visitors. Besides many individuals who have interested themselves in this work, such bodies as the Scouts, Mount Holdsworth Club, Wairarapa Tramping Club, Tararua Tramping Club and Wairarapa Automobile Association have done considerable public service in this region. The Automobile Association has purchased a camping and parking area of five acres at the end of the Mount Holdsworth Road and this is being rapidly developed into a splendid ground for visitors. Shelter sheds and conveniences have been erected which are greatly appreciated by the public. The Mount Holdsworth region is not the only one to find a measure of favour with trampers, whose inclinations lead them far and wide. For many vears the track over Mounts Hector and Alpha from Greytown to Otaki has been a very popular route and several huts have been erected on this pathway for the benefit of its users. Closer to Masterton, the Mitre Flats al the base of Mitre Peak (5,154 feet), which is the highest in the Tararua Range, are a popular rendezvous for trampers, who have quite recently erected there a hut that is proving oi great value to parties visiting the ranges. Always looking for fresh fields to conquer, trampers have lately devoted some attention to crossing the ranges from Levin to Masterton and no doubt in time this route will be popularised and more shelter facilities provided. Sometimes even trampers with the best of intentions become lost in the Tararuas, and when such an occasion occurs Masterton and other Wairarapa residents respond readily to <he call for searchers. There is a fair variety of bird-life in the Mount Holdsworth area and in other portions of the Tararua Range, although some of the most cherished species have disappeared, notably the huia, the stitch-bird, the crow, the saddleback and the robin. There are still, however, some interesting species left to gladden the heart and the eye of the tramper. In spite of the many days of wild weather experienced in this mountain retreat, the dimunitive rifleman wren, New Zealand s smallest bird—it is only three inches long from the tip of its awl-like bill to the end of its stumpy tail—enjoys life amid the solitude of the extensive beech forests which clothe the greater portion of the ranges. Another small denizen of these woods is the grey warbler, which is equally at home among the gardens and shrubberies of the lower lands. It has won distinction by having the task of rearing the young shining cuckoo foisted upon it, but in spite of this handicap it still finds time to sing its cherry notes. The fussy little pied fantail is well distributed in suitable localities and its black counterpart is sometimes to be seen, though this species is a rare one in the North Island. Neatly clad in a plumage of black and white, the male tomtit shows himself off to all and sundry, but his more sombrely-clad mate is very particular about displaying herself in public and is rarely seen. The silver-eye, which is a familiar bird in the countryside generally, is also found in the mountain forests, where it lives on insects, nectar and berries. A noisy inhabitant is the whitehead, a bird which at one time was thought to be on the verge of extinction. Its lively habits never fail to attract attention and although it leads an industrious life it is never too busy to give a snatch of song everv few minutes. The tui, wit! its ornamental tuft of feathers on the throat, gurgles and chortles from the tree-tops and appears to be very much at home while its smaller relative, the bell-bird, rewards visitors on occasions with a delightful morning chorus of bell-like melody. Among the larger birds living in the mountains may be mentioned the noble pigeon, the garrulous kaka, the beautiful little rodfronted and yellow-fronted parrakeets, the fierce bush hawk and the sneaking, long-tailed cuckoo. At the headwaters of the streams the blue duck leads a life amid the turmoil of rushing waters while an occasional grey duck frequents the quieter reaches. Persecuted by man, both the black shag and the white-throated shag hope

to find a safe refuge for their nests and young, but man is relentless and, having found their breeding haunts, sets about to destroy young and old on their nests; Even above the bush-lino an odd pair of pipits or ground larks select a breeding place amid some subalpine growth and in the winter, move to more secure quarters at lower altitudes. At night the foreboding cry of the morepork resounds through the forest.

Practically all the bush area of the Tararua Ranges is under permanent State Forest reservation, so that this wonderful heritage should be preserved for all time, provided it’ can be safeguarded from fire and the evil effects of devastation by deer and goats. Fire, unfortunately, has already scarred the sides of the hills at the base of Holdsworth and it is as well ror all visitors to remember that it is illegal to light fires in the area except in the fireplaces provided for that purpose.. Only ordinary care is necessary to ensure that no harm shall result from lighting a fire for “boiling the billy" but there is a small irresponsible section of the community which fails to observe even the most elementary rules of caution. Damage by deer is becoming serious in the higher country of the Tararuas and Government culling parties are at present operating in the region with a view to bringing the numbers of these introduced animals to manageable proportions. It is imperative that the natural vegetation clothing the Tararuas shall be preserved intact, as these ranges are ouilt up of unstable material and once the forest is removed disaster will follow for the residents of the Valley.