MAYOR ISLAND

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18991, 16 April 1936, Page 6

MAYOR ISLAND

CONSERVATION URGED BIRD LIFE AND FLORA "Mayor Island is an extremely interesting 'place," said Mr. K. Phillipsturner, of Hamilton, formerly Director of Forestry, OH his return from a visit lo tho island, lie was accompanied by Dr. I'. Marshall, geologist lo l.ln- Man; Highways Hoard. Mr. 'l'hillips-Turncr said thai bell birds were very numerous on: the island, and a continuous coneerl <>l lunele.l melody greeted Hie visitors as they made their way through the bush. Tuis, kakas, pigeons, grey warblers and blackheaded torn-tils were scarce, although (here was an abundant food supply. Fantails were fairly plentiful, and a lew harrier hawks and dinks were seen. Red-billed gulls frequented (he camping ground in Opo Bnv in large numbers. and were lame. Kingfishers were not numerous. Continnin™. Mr. Phillips-Ticrner said he and his companion saw few •trees that were common lo Ihe mainland, at Taurnnga. On the other hand, the inaho mako and Icawakawa attained a much larger size than they did on the main laud. Pohufukawas" were exceptionally prolific. One pohiitukawa. probably the largest of its kind in the Dominion, had a. girth of 32ft. and a. spread of 90ft. with ils branches. During (he examination of the geological features of the island. Dr. Marshall discovered a. rare mineral named tuhualite, a beautiful violet crystal. The quantity found was too small to be of any economic value, und_.was only id' scientific interest. Concluding. Mr. Phillips-Turner said Mayor Island bad exceptional scenic, biological and geological interest. in his opinion the island should be acquired by the Government and made a national park. The land was useless for farming, the Maoris having deserted it long ago. They could he given land of equal value, on the mainland as compensation.