KAPITI ISLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 68, 19 March 1908, Page 4

KAPITI ISLAND.

(By Telegraph.—O*n Correspondent.)

CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Mr. H. J. Ell, M.P., has been in communication with, the Premier, the Minister for Lands and the Native Minister in regard to the steps being- taken to acquire the whole oi Kapiti island in the Cook Strait as a reserve for native plants j and animals. Mr. Ell has sent several ' telegrams to members of the Government ! pointing out that the fire, started on a j portion of the island owned by the MaoI ris, had s-pread close to the Government's J forest. He states that over £5000 of j public money has been spent on the is- ! land, and that if the bush is destroyed this sum wiii be wasted, as the island will then be almost useless as a sanctuary. The danger is made more aprjarent by j the fact that there is no other' island on j the West Coast of the North Island that j would be a suitable reserve for plants ! and animals. In his telegram to Mr. Carroll, Mr. Ell says: "I beg of you and earnestly hope that you will use your influence with the native owners, so that the rest of the island may bs acquired at once for the preservation of our beauti- ] ful birds." Mr. Carroll has replied, stat- ; ing that the fires have not damaged the ; Government's property. He adds that ■ there is no power at present to take the native land, but that legislation may be I introduced during the coming session to J enable a satisfactory settlement to be arrived at. Mr. McNa-b states that the

proposal was before Cabinet recently, and legislation liad been considered, but owing to complications in regard to the native title, the difficulty in tho way of acquiring the balance of tile land held by ■ the Maoris is very great. He is hopeful j that something may be done next scsi eion. The Premier states that Mr. Kli's ; representations are receiving the Govern|ment's consideration.