FOREST GROWTH.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18914, 1 February 1927, Page 3

FOREST GROWTH.

REGENERATION AT KAPITI. lii>- rapid regeneration of forest jjrouth on Kapiti Island impressed members of the council of the New Zealand Forestry League who visited the bird Sanctuary in the New Year holidays. In a report to the council at its latest meeting. Captain E. V. Sanderson btated that tin. vtowth was particularly noticeable in t)ii> northern lialf of the eastern lower slopes. "The bird life," In .said, "is increasing wonderfully in sympathy with the enhanced food supply. All species showed good inereahO, particularly tuis and hellbirJs, and it was pleasing to note the goodly number of parakeets, mostly red-fronted. Toward-, the south end and at the tiouth end of the tnre.-t, regeneration was quite held in check hv numbers of wild .-.beep, .Many attempts nt the impossible have been made to muster these weedy, v. ild sheep, and it i« reported that another attempt is now about, to lis made, when it is palpable that it cannot be done payalilv. In the meantime the forest regeneration of a considerable part of the sanctuary is rendered impossible, the period of excessive lire risk unnecessarily extended, the increase of bird life restricted to those areas free from stock, and planting operations rendered abortive where Ihe sheep are present.

"The time devoted to opossum trapping, at nn timo sufficient, is now further curtailed by the elimination of the only trapper's work to that of his attempting to muster the sheep, and it is surely advisable that another trapper rhoulil be put on while the present trapper is thus engaged. No goats whateior were seen, and it is reported that these have been reduced to three or four Aery wild animals. This is indeed a commendable effort, and a far more difficult work than the quitting of tho sheep. "Willi continued efficient work," reported Captain Sanderson, "and, it, is trusted, more effective activity in quitting all animals, this sanctuary will prove a iov to the surrounding district in tlint tlio surplus tuis nnrl otlior birds will migrate to tho mainland, as was their custom in former times.