VISIT TO THREE KINGS

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24749, 14 December 1945, Page 4

VISIT TO THREE KINGS

SCIENTIFIC TRIP AUCKLAND MUSEUM WORK " The Press ” Special Service AUCKLAND, December 13. A successful Auckland Museum scientific expedition to the Three Kings Islands was recently accomplished through the generosity of Commodore W. K. D. Dowding, R.N., Naval Officer in Charge, Auckland. The trip was made in H.M.N.Z.S. Arbutus, commanded by LieutenantCommander lan Howard. The members of the expedition were the acting-director of the museum, Mr A. W. B. Powell, Major G. A. Buddie. Major R. A. Wilson, Dr. G. T. S. Baylis, and Messrs P. C. Bull and R. M. A. Wilson. Eight days were spent, or. the Big King Island, one day cruising around the other islands of the group, and landings were made at North Cape and the Poor Knights Islands. The investigations covered a botanical survey of the Big King, a census of the bird Deputation, and researches into the moUusca, insects, and reptiles of the island. An extensive photographic record was made, including a 16 mm. moving film, which was designed to meet the requirements of the museum educational service.

The landing on Big King Island, which rises sheer out of the ocean with precipitous cliffs up to almost IGOOft high, was accomplished with difficulty. A considerable swell was running, making it impossible to risk the ship’s boats among the surfbeaten rocks. Lieutenant-Commander Howard devised a scheme by which the party and supplies were ferried between the ship’s boats and the shore on a cork raft known as a Carley float. The experience of being cast ashore on the crest of a breaking wave was exciting and was accomplished without mishap. Bell-birds Numerous “Bell-birds are the most numerous species on the island.” said a report of the expedition. “The other land birds are the Australian quail, previously erroneously reported as the New Zealand native quail (now extinct), red-fronted parrakeets, kingfishers, fantails, moreporks, and banded rails. Mackerel gulls were in nesting colonies on many rock faces and ledges, and wherever there was a depth of soil large numbers ’of burrowing petrels were found. Four suedes of petrels were located, including one new to New Zealand. The discovery was made by Mr Bull, who slept out for several nights near the burrows to observe the birds coming in. “Dr. Baylis made a complete survey of the vegetation, resulting in the finding of four species new to New Zealand.” continued the report. “One of them is a handsome creeper of subtropical aspect, another resembles the karaka. and another is a striking new form of rangiora.” The report stated that introduced goats had done almost irreparable damage to- iho flora. The elimination of the anmials was essential if the remnants of a unique fauna and flora were to _be preserved, and the support of interested bodies was invited with a view to recommending that the Government take action before' it was too late.

Important finds on the Big King were two small colonies of the large endemic snail, placostylus bollonsi, whica was previously considered extinct since 1907, says the report, which paid a tribute'Ho the commander and officers of the Arbutus for the efficient manner in which they directed landing operations.