AN ATTRACTION FOR ROTORUA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21926, 9 October 1934, Page 13

AN ATTRACTION FOR ROTORUA

Sir, —I wonder how many nature lovers, like myself, have felt the lack of native fauna and flora at Rotorua. During my last visit I saw evidence of the expenditure of much money arid effort upon the town and its environs. Rapid strides have been made in the direction of increasing attractions for those who are satisfied with thermal sights, Maoris, hot baths, massage, golf, howls, tennis or fishing (in Benson). What of the visitor who has been attracted to New Zealand, and to Rotorua in particular, by illustrations on Government pamphlets, magazines, j postage stamps and the new coinage, to j see tuis, bell birds, native pigeons, kiwis, wekas, waterfowl, kowhai, clematis, ferns and so on? There must have been thousands, like myself, who have wandered about the beautiful sanatorium grounds and the near by lake shore, and come away disappointed at, the almost complete absence of that plant and bird life of which New Zealand boasts. Foreign trees, shrubs and plants are there in neat array. Delightful miniature lakes are occupied by European "Mallard" ducks, American trout and golden carp from the Northern Hemisphere. Blackbirds, thrushes, sparrows, chaffinches and other feathered friends from abroad offer a ready welcome, but one can have all these things on a larger and grander scale in many parts of the world. Now that the spirit of enterprise is well awake in Rotorua, 1 would venture to hopo that some good might result if suggestions which have previously fallen 011 barren ground are put forward again. Lot native trees and shrubs, particularly those which supply honey and berries, be planted in profusion and acfll an assortment of eucalypts and tree lucerne. If this is done it will not be long before the lone tui who -visits the gardens brings his tribe along to make the town their permanent home and concert hall. There is little doubt that the bell bird will follow, for he is plentiful in the bush a few miles awav, and is on the increase. It is possible also that the pigeon will fall into line. At very small cost in cash and ♦'{fort the ponds in tho Grounds could be suitably fenced and stocked with grey duck, black teal, brown duck, paradise, blue mountain duck, and shorellers, which, iL pinioned, would become as tame as the Mallards, and be an unending source of delight to residents and visitors, old and young. These birds would have considerable educational value, particularly to New Zealanders. For such a collection of waterfowl Rotorua grounds have natural advantages second to none—no eels, few, if any, rats, stoats and hawks. The birds would be happier than in the wild state, where gunmen and vermin are dooming some species to extinction. I venture to predict that if a few residents of the town took this matter up they would rapidly gain the support of nature lovers and soon obtain the practical sympathy of others who could bo made to see that a fresh attraction to Rotorua would help to increase business. The out and out bird protectionist might also be made to see that close contact with tamed birds tends materially to check the chasing and slaughter of their wild brothers and sisters. Taken in hand by tho right people, something substantial could even be accomplished before Rotorua entertains its next Royal visitor. Papango.