CHATHAM ISLANDS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 62, 15 March 1933, Page 11

CHATHAM ISLANDS

VISIT OF INVESTIGATION

I A most interesting find by Mr. A. W. IJ. Powell, eonehologist and palaeontologist at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, during a recent visit to the Chatham Islands, was a shellfish of the Pachyinelon genus—the - spiral type — the only other known specimen of the [genus being dredged by the Challenger Expedition in 275 fathoms of water at la point 200 miles west of Farewell Spit. jTwo species of land snails have been 'taken at the Chathams, and Mr. Powell on his trip gathered fifteen' different kinds (states the Auckland "Star"). They have not yet been fully examined, and may include new species. He also secured for the museum a specimen of the bird Butter's Mollymawk. Previously it had only been, recorded on Snares Island.

■ Mr. Powell said that the Chathams pauas were extraordinarily plentiful, likewise a relation of tho toheroa, but oysters were comparatively scarce.

Investigations were made by Mr. Powell of the Te Whanga lagoon, which is tho main feature of the Chatham Islands. It is 46,000 acres in extent, fifteen miles in length and four to nine miles in width. Ho said it simply teemed with flounder, but the fish was so . thin that they were little use as food. They died near the water's edge and piled up. When, dry they blew about like pieces of paper. Mr. Powell said that the black swan of Australia was abundant on the lake. They had driven off practically all tho native birds. Tho swans were also plentiful on the many fresh-water lakes. Mr. Powell mentioned that the one food popular with the natives was a curious thing like a tulip on a long stalk. It was washed up from the sea after a storm. They culled it siaeo. It was said to have a clinging flavour that lasted for days. Personally, he did not try it. Tho kina, or sea eggj-was' also a popular article of diet.

When he was there the islands made a wonderful picture. Owing to a heavy growth of grass the paddocks were emerald green in the sun. There was no heavy 'bush, as people in Xcw Zealand knew it, , but on the high parts there wds extensive forest of hoheria, karaka, and matipo.