Three principal nature reserves

Press, 18 December 1985, Page 47

Three principal nature reserves

The three principal nature reserves in the Marlborough Sounds Maritime Park are Titi Island, the Chetwode Islands, in the Outer Pelorus Sound, and the Brothers, just off Tory Channel. They have been reserved to protect interesting examples of the rare vegetation and wildlife found on the islands.

Among the protected species are shearwaters, parakeet , and South Island robins. Maud Island, in the Pelorus Sound, plays an important part in the conservation work of the Wildlife Service. KARAKA POINT

This point is about skm by road east of Picton. The small promontory clad in regenerating bush is a popular picnic area. A winding track leads along the point to a'grassed lookout at its head;

Ramparts and pits midway along the track are indications? of what once must have been a sizeable Maori settlement. It is not known what happened to the occupants, but it is assumed that they were eventually driven out by Te Rauparaha. Two access tracks lead down to the beach and enable passage around the point at low tide. SHIP COVE

Ship Cove is one of the most important historic reserves in the park, being one of Captain Cook’s principal bases during his exploration of the South Island. His five visits between 1770 and 1777 are commemorated by a 5m obelisk on the foreshore.

The reserve has a day shelter and is designed as a picnic area. Camping is prohibited. MOTUARA ISLAND

Motuara Island is another

very important island associated with Captain Cook’s travels around the South Island. It was here that he raised the flag and took possession of the mainland. A cairn at the summit commemorates this event. FRENCH PASS

French Pass is an isolated township at the head of a long peninsula stretching towards D’Urville Island. It became well known as the home of Pelorus Jack, a dolphin who for many years piloted ships from Cook Strait to the entrance of the pass. The pass itself was discovered by D’Urville in 1827. His negotiation of the dangerous waters in his corvette Astrolabe is commemorated by a cairn on a point overlooking the pass. TITIRANGI Titirangi Reserve, at the head of Titirangi Bay in the Outer Sounds, has the dis-. tinction of possessing the only sandy beach in the Marlborough Sounds. The reserve, managed as a farm, has an area on the foreshore set aside for camping. The road leading down into the bay is fairly steep and unsuitable for small cars pulling loads. PORT UNDERWOOD

Port Underwood, about 20km south-east of Picton, is one of the best harbours in the country and is often used as a haven by stormbound vessels.

Large Maori populations along the shores in preEuropean times were severely decimated by Te Rauparaha during his raids on the South Island. Europeans made the port their principal whaling base for the area. The Ironside Mission, at the head of the inlet, was one of the first places to be settled in the South. Island.