The Little Carrier, Auckland.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 52, 24 December 1892, Page 1259

The Little Carrier, Auckland.

THE PROPOSED PRESERVATION ISLAND.

THE following very interesting article lias been specially written for the Graphic by Mr Henry Wright, of Wellington, who recently reported to the Government on the value of Hantnru Island as a bird preserve. A portrait is given of Mr Wright, who has onr best thanks for his courtesy in supplying us with the photographs he took on his visit, and some of which we reproduce.—Editor Graphic. Ale the world over a great interest is being manifested just now in the preservation of species, both animal and vegetable. Man the destroyer is beginning to realise that, prolific as nature is, the continual process of reaping without sowing must have an end, and unless something is done to stop the wantonness of destruction, many of her most lovely and useful gifts to man are doomed to extinction —never to be recovered.

The theory of evolution, which is now questioned by none, has received its confirmation from the comparisons by scientific observers in various parts of the world of the existing varieties of animals and plants with those of prehistoric times, and it follows that every living thing now on earth

is but a link with the past, which it is hoped will some day enable us to solve the yet unfathomable mystery

of creation. Any effort, therefore, to preserve those links must be for the benefit of mankind, and it is pitiable to read how whole races of noble animals once roaming wild in countless millions in the enjoyment of freedom and of life are now reduced to a few poor individuals—the last of their kind. Of all countries in the world New Zealand is singularly circumstanced as regards its flora and fauna. Animals it has none except the bush rat, probably of late introduction; but of birds it has a rich and rare collection so peculiarly its own that they afford a study of never-ending in terest for scientific inquirers in all parts of the globe. It would be little short of ciiminality to permit the annihilation of these beautiful and interesting creatures; and yet many varieties are already so scarce that a few years more would see them lost for ever. Measures for our bird conservation have for years been urged by such distinguished zoologists as Professors Flower, Newton and others, whilst nearer home Sir Walter Buller has striven with indefatigable persistence for the preservation of the objects of his life-long study ; but it required the highest authority to take the initiative, and this was done by our

esteemed late Governor, Lord Onslow, who presented a paper on the subject to both Houses of Parliament last session. To this the Premier, Mr Ballance, brought the enthusiasm of a cultivated mind, and there is now every reason to hope that practical effect will be given to the long cherished hopes of all lovers of nature. His

Excellency’s paper advocated the reservation of Resolution Island in the South, and the purchase of the Little Barrier Island in the North as natural sanctuaries where our birds might increase and multiply unmolested. The former island has already been proclaimed, and the Government has with commendable promptitude, re opened negotiations for the purchase of the latter which were commenced some ten years ago. Of the Little Barrier, or as it is preferably called by its native name of Hauturu, but little has been known, owing to there being no regular means of communication, but from a report just furnished to the Government by Mr Harry Wright, of Wellington, who visited it upon instruc-

tion from the Hon. Mr Seddon, the most interesting and valuable information is at our command. From this we learn that the island, which is extremely rugged, has an area of about 10,000 acres, and derives its Maori name from a peculiar stone on the beach, shaped like a canoe, which, according to Maori tradition, once floated to where it now lies, and is well known as the Hauturu stone. It is believed to have some place in the early history of the Maoris, and that the name was given by them on their first arrival in New Zealand. The stately kauri pine (Dammara Australes) is plentiful, and Mr Wright’s visit evidently was just in time to save the forests from destruction, as he found a party of men engaged to fell timber for the native owners. He appends lists of sixteen of the principal trees, and no less than forty varieties of birds found on the island, many of which have sought a last refuge there, being no longer found elsewhere, and whose melodious warblings awoke him at sunrise and enlivened the stillness of the forest throughout the day. He considers Hauturu more suitable than Resolution Island, from its considerable range of climate and greater distance from the mainland. The latter part of the report contains a most valuable suggestion and says, * I am very strongly of opinion that both the soil and climate of Hauturu Island render it especially adapted for purposes beyond those at present contemplated. I refer to the experimental culture of numerous plants of economic value requiring a semitropical climate, which might be the means, at an almost nominal expense in the hands of an enthusiast, of developing resources and encouraging industries now scarcely dreamt of, but which would, in years to come, materially benefit the colony, and particularly those settlers located on its northern lands.’ He further instances the success of the orangery at Whangarei consisting of 28 acres, and ■ yielding fruit bearing most favourable comparison with that imported from Sydney and the Islands.’ Referring to the proprietor, Mr Dobbie, he adds : ' Doubtless he is but the pioneer of an immense future production, and there is so wide a field in this direction, which is not

likely to be attempted by private adventure, that I think it would fairly come within the scope of legitimate Government enterprise if the curator of Hauturu were given some small assistance in experimenting upon the culture of such extra-tropical utilitarian plants as the tea, coflee, cinchona, teak, cork, scent plants, medicinal herbs, sheep bushes and others in far too great variety to enumerate here.’ The capability of the island for becoming a Government domain of world wide interest is shown in the last paragraph of Mr Wright’s reports as follows: 'The island throughout is magnificently timbered, the soil is in great part extremely fertile, whilst the beauty of its scenery will cause it, in the not very distant future, to be the show place of the North Island, to which steamers from Auckland will ply with excursionists to see not only the last of the native birds, but the remaining specimens of the noble kauri, the nikan palms, the tree and numerous other ferns still flourishing in all their pristine loveliness, when the primeval forest elsewhere will have long since passed away. > A list of plants suitable for experimental culture and some photographs taken by Mr Wright are also appended, three of which latter we reproduce as well as a portrait of himself. On receipt of this report the Government at once dispatched a special steamer taking Mr Gerhard Mueller, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, to stop further cutting of timber and to negotiate with the natives. We can only say, that if the Government succeeds in carrying out their most excellent project, and further utilises the island in the direction suggested by Mr Wright, it will deserve well of the country, and especially of Auckland province, and will demonstrate to the world, that the Liberal party, with Mr Ballance at its head, is appreciative of the claims of science, and whilst consistently working in the interests of the masses of the present day, is not unmindful of the welfare of future generations.