Page 7 Advertisements Column 2

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160712, 27 July 1920, Page 7

Rx tracts from the report of tile caretaker of Kapiti Island are contained in the annual report of the scenery preservation branch of the Lands Department. “During the year 1919," states the caretaker, : ‘197 goats and two cats were destroyed on the island. The total number of opossums trapped was 2397, and the sale of the skina realised ,£7BO los 2d. As the total expenses were =£2l3 15s 2d, a profit to the Department of N .£567 resulted. I have now finished my observations of every gully and spur on Kapiti, and find that about 140 acres on the north of Taipiro and 200 acres south of waterfall must be trapped this winter. Owing to the unseasonable spring aud early summer the bird-feed is again very scarce; even on the karaka trees the berries did not reach maturity. Tuis are greatly reduced in numbers, also whiteheads and fan tails, but still numerous enough for all the feed there is for them. On the other hand, bellbirds and robins show a very noticeable irereaso. A few years ago robins were seldom seen; at present they are in evidence everywhere. Blue herons are also on the increase; wekas are very numerous; pigeons, kakas, parakeets. etc., are numerous. Kohekohe, mahoe. passion-flowers, and fuchsia are all showing signs of recovering from the damage done to them by the opossums."