MAYOR ISLAND CHARM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19235, 26 January 1926, Page 12

MAYOR ISLAND CHARM.

OLD HAUNT OF THE MAORIS. A SCIENTIFIC HOLIDAY. MR. \V, H. FIELD ENTHUSIASTIC. j I [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPOXDEXT. 1 XAUIIAXGA. Mcndar. I Mr. w. H. Field, M.P.. Otaki, has ret turned irorn a week's hoiidav spent at j Mayor Island. His main object was to ; explore the island botanically and to ! secure photographs of the seenerv. Ho taxes a special interest in botany. He i describes the island as exceedingly beau- ' t'-iia. and says it should provide an excellent area for the artist and the photo- | grapher, as there are coastal scenes that : could net be excelled anywhere in New Zealand. He was delighted with -.he pohutukawas. many of which were still | in bloom, and inspected the plant of the 1 groves with much interest. He says it is ■ the largest he has seen, and probably i the highest pohutukawa in New Zealand. Its circumference at the base is over 30ft., and the branch spread is enormous. Another feature oi the vegetation is j the whan, or cork tree, formerly used by i the natives in making Scats for their nets. It is generally supposed. Mr. Field . says, that the what: was brought by the : natives to New Zealand in one of their ' early migrations. The wineberry also ; thrives. The whan and the wineberry as seen by Mr. Field in other places i were shrubs or small trees, but at Mayor • Island they have attained the growth of I forest trees. ; Mr. Field has made an interesting ; collection of botanical specimens, which ! he is taking to Wellington for further : examination. He was only able to ex.'amine a small portion of the island, and | • : hopes to return later and make a fuller ■ investigation. He expressed gratification { at the large numbers of pigeons, kakas. ■ fant-ails and other native birds to be seen lon the island. He regards the place as ! an ideal sanctuary, and advocates the j placing there of kiwis, wekas, kakupos : and other native species. j Although not a geologist Mr. Field was j impressed with the extensive strata and I deposits of obsidian. Beautiful deposits j of stone were seen, the colours in many j cases being magnificent j The old native fortifications proved I very interesting. Mr. Field said the j pas, generally speaking, were in a fair .• slate of preservation, and quite a leej be.r. located on rocky promontories. must 1 have been practically impregnable. The | island would be the source of great food supplies, and its ownership would be coveted by many tribes. Judging by the pas he considered that in former days the .island was inhabited by a large | native population.

Mr. W. J. P. Hodgkins, of Auckland, who was with Mr. Field, landed a shark about 7ft.. long, and the party secured numerous hin.gash, bsptska and other varieties. A number of swordhsh were observed, and several were hooked bat broke away. Flying fish were owromras and made quite extensive Sights on several ©pc&sjobs. Mr. .Field observed great shoals of fish, and is of opinion that ■.everything possible should be, done to preserve the... grounds. He promised the local member of Parliament, .Mr. C. £. Ma.cmil.lan, the. fullest ass&Jaotse :b matter of preserving the. place as " a national asset.. The sport at Mayor Island being so close to the treat-fishing at Rotoraa gave the grounds added value! Thev were within easy reach of the numerous visitors to the t-faermai district.