DESTRUCTION OF BUSH
FIRE ON WHALE ISLAND " The Press *' Special Service. WHAKATANE, January 8. Residents of the Bay of Plenty view with anger the destruction by fire of the scrub and dried grass covering the 1000 ft cone of Whale Island. The island at this time of the year is a place of call for yachtsmen and occasional campers. It is not inhabited and is a recognised breeding ground for mutton birds, which the Maoris hunt in the breeding season. There are also large flocks of goats there.
The island’s towering green outline has become a well-known landmark in the eastern bay and the greatest resentment and indignation are felt at the firing of the slopes, which must result in great loss of sea-bird life, as well as the destruction of many beautiful pohutukawa trees. Yachtsmen who were cruising in the vicnity at the time state that terrified birds endeavouring to reach their burrows dived straight into the flames. The island is privately owned, and as a direct result of the fire there is a movement in Whakatane to have it taken over by the State as a bird sanctuary.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24151, 10 January 1944, Page 4
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190DESTRUCTION OF BUSH Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24151, 10 January 1944, Page 4
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