The Daily Telegraph. TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1892.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 6428, 12 April 1892, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1892.

An Auckland tolegram informed us last week that a petition was being got up to the Government praying that the Little Barrier Island be reserved as a preserve for native fauna and flora of the rarer sort. The destruction that is necessarily going on through the growth of settlement makes a national park very desirable, and no site for such an establishment could be better chosen than an island. From the Star we obtain the following interesting information :— Tho Little Barrier, or Hauturu as it is known by the Maoris, is situated at the northern entrance to the Hauraki Gulf, about twelve miles N.E from Rodney Point. From north to south it is four and a-half miles long, and from east to west three and a-half miles. It rises to an elevation of between 2000 ft and 3000 ft above the sea level, and is very broken and hilly. A range of steep mountains, almost perpendicular in parts, runs right across the island. The island is very heavily timbered, almost the whole of it being covered with bush. Numerou3 shrubs, resembling those on the New Zealand Alps, exist on the Little Barrier. It possesses a number of creeks, but all except three become dry in midsummer. The scenery of the island is said to be very wild and romantic, the rock formation being conglomerate or dark rock similar to basalt. There is a Maori settlement ou the south-western side. There are only three places where a landing can ue effected, the best being near the native kainga. In case the island were set aside as a reserve it is stated that one good man who took delight in his duties could easily act as overseer. There are forty different species of birds found on the island, and the locality is by far a more favorable home for native birds than the mainland. There are several species of birds on the island that are already extinct on the mainland, and others that are rapidly becoming co. Tho wild pigs, cats and rats which abound on the island are very destructive to the feathered creatures, but the pigs aud cats could be easily disposed of by a few good sportsmen with dogs. It is believed that a more favorable place than the Littlo Barrier cannot be had for the preservation of our native birds. If the Government were successfully prevailed on to set aside the island for the purpose suggested, it would not bo the first time that a Government had devoted some locality to tho conservation of the fauna of a country, for Canada has set aside au island in one of her great lakes for the purpose or preserving the wild animals that were at one time very numerous in the land. If the Government could be induced to acquite the island as a forest reserve it would meet the objeot desired. In the opinion of Mr A. Reischek, the eminent naturalist, thero is no more suitable locality for the preservation of the native birds throughout the colony tha_t the Little Barrier. It is a matter of deep regret that some of the most attractive native birds are rapidly dying out, and it is to be hoped that a strong effort will be made by those interested in the subject to get the locality dedicated as a reserve. The Little Barrier was some time ago in the market, the price asked by the native owners being £3500. The island is at present in the possession of members of the Ngatiwai tribe, to whom the Hauturu was awarded by the Native Lands Court in Auckland in ISB6. Amongst the rare birds to be found on Hauturu are the korimako (or bell-bird), the popokotea (whiteback), kiwi, and the tieke, or saddleback. The tieke is now very scarce, being only found at this day on Cuvier Island, tho Hen and Chickens, and the Little Barrier. The tieke, which is a peouliar bird with a yellow mark over the baok like a saddh-, is connected with many ancient Maori legends and superstitions.