LOCAL AND GENERAL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 476, 9 March 1933, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Delivery Vajn Burned A light delivery van ovraed by Mr. P. R. McGOl, wine and spirit merchant was badly. damaged by fire at about 6 o'clock last evening. At the time of the outbreak the van was parked at the rear of Mr. MeGill's business premises in Arawa Street, which had been closed for the day some time previously. The Rotorua Fire Brigade quickly suppressed the flames which at one time seriously tlireatened the huilding. The cause of the fire is unknown and it is understood that the van was not insured.

Diving Pier Extended The stone diving pier erected some "months ago by the Tourist Department at Sulphur Point has now been extended by the erection of a woodeir staging twelve feet in length. The pier now extends approximately twenty feet from the lakeside and gives a depth of water off the end of nearly 'five feet. 'Government Waste A typieal instance of the lack of economy practiced within Government circles is to be seen at Arapuni where, despite the fact that work on the major scheme has been completed ' for many months, the tents which housed the hundreds of men are still standing there unoccupied. It is understood that owing' to the Government brand being stencilled on the tents the Public Works Department refuse to sell them. The considerable value of the equipment and timber must be rapidly deteriorating.

Orchard Raided During the past week the fruit trees in the orchard at the Government Grounds have been raided several times. A watch kept yesterday afternoon ' resulted in several small boys being caught in the act and the police being informed. After administering a warning, the police decided to talce no further action. Trout Hatchery Extension An extension to the trout hatchery at Tokaanu is at present in the course of construction and will he completed in good time for the stripping season. It is estimated that the extension will provide accommodation for an extra 600,000 ova. Winter Boat Houses With the object of providing a clear space for the erection of boat•houses where visitors will be able to house their boats during the winter months, the Internal Affairs Department is building a reclaiming wall between the landing reserve and the slipway at Taupo. It is proposed to clear and reclaim an area of swamp on the river bank and to level it so that boathouses may be erected.

Rotoehu Fishing Eleven good-conditioned fish, averaging 31b. in weight were taken by Major Oliver, fishing at Lake Rotoehu at the week-end. The best fish of the bag weighed 41b. Good Taupo Fishing Fishing at Western Bay, a party of three New Plymouth anglers last week-end took a total of 101 fish for an evening, a whole day and a morning's fishing. The bag was taken completely on the fly or by harling. The average weight was 5Ub. and the bag included two nine pounders, four eight pounders, and six seven pounders. Only five of the fish taken were j in any way in poor condition. Overseas Visitors The popularity of Rotorua as a rendezvous for overseas anglers is apparently growing for it is stated that considerably more entjuiries from overseas fishermen have been made at the Rotorua offiee of the Internal Affairs Department this year than was the case in 1932.