KAPITI SANCTUARY

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 13, 17 January 1922, Page 2

KAPITI SANCTUARY

TO 188 ■'■•ITOt. Sir,—After returning from the holidays my attention was called to three most interesting articles that appeared in your issue during the latter end of last month, conveying the impressions formed after an excursion to K.ipiti. I envied the party their interesting experience, which it might have been expected would have proved a satisfactory illustration of what had been accomplished by way of making Kapiti the sanctuary every true lover of nature had expected and been led to believe was the case. Alas! we find that, sheep, goats, and opossums are doing irrevocable damage and practically destroying the very growth which it was expected would contribute not only to the welfare of the bird life it was intended to preserve, but maintain that type of forest from the carpet growth to the big tree which is of such absorbing interest.

These depredations of the non-indi-genour animals mentioned could' not present a problem impossible of solution. The sheep we are told can be kept in bounds if the Government will only completo their portion of fencing between the land acquired by the Crown and the Native holding; also, surely not impossible of accomplishment even in these strenuous times if the, Department, whichever it is, has the, matter At heart and. really intends to carry out in its entirely what the preservation of the island means. Unfortunately, as far as one can gather those in charge of this particular portion of State control are merely officials of a Government Department, and however honest in their intentions and capable in other directions, may probably be lacking not only in interest, but in the expert knowledge necessary to make a success of their administration. %

Foz this reaaon. I would suggest a board of qontrol consisting of some real live members—and there should be no difficulty in obtaining, the services of men who would cheerfully be prepared ,lo devote a portion.of their time to this matter—who could be representative of the Government acclimatisation socities, scenery preservation, or any other section of the community who' would endeavour to carrjy out what is considered necessary for' the complete preservation of Kapiti. By this, means active interest would be stimulated to endeavour to achieve some of the very necessary reform's in the control of this historic island which are unfortunately lacking at the present time. The extermination of the goats and opossums is not ■ insurmountable and could be curried out with very little trouble or expense. i In conclusion I would further suggest that it is a duty we owe to the generations _coming after us to hand on to them ~this ' unique island in a better state of preservation than we now find it in, and I hope sufficient energy will be forthcoming to induce the Government to carry out its obvious duty in this connection nnd remove that spirit of apathy that has too long been in evidence.—^l am, etc. v

14th Jtmuttfc

C. B. TRIMNELI*