TWO-MILE BAY

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 43, 5 November 1952, Page 1

TWO-MILE BAY

disappointment over sports CLUB I)J| APPOINT ¥ENT OVER RAMP HOLD-UP The Annual Generai Meetlng of the Taupo Motor Boat and Aquatie Sports Club was held in the Rainbow Grill Rooms on October 28th., the retiring Commodore, Mr A. D. Mackenzie being in the chair. In presenting* his report the Commodore stated that it gave hioi great pleasure to report that for the first time since the regattas thad been held at Jerusalem Bay, instead of in the river at Taupo, they had man- | aged to clear expenses. They had in fact, as a result of the regatta and the most sueeessful dance folfowing it, improved their bank balance by £64 8/11, fbringing the

credit balance to a total of £222 19/7. The door tafiings at the dance had been £42 17/3. This gratifying outcome of the last regatta was due largely to boat owners who had come to the annual fixture over the previous three years, wh en the most they eould expect was a minirnum of prize money, no appearance money having been paid at- a.ll over that peripd. The spirit of these boys was anuch appreciated. I he club was also igreatly debted to the npn-me m b e r s who came forward ,so willingly on regatta day and by their energetic help with the necessary work eontributed so much to the smooth running of the function. During the year the club had approached the Marine Department, for permission to install a concrete ranip at Two-Mile Bay not only for the convenience of club members ibut also tor that of boat owners in generai, the ramp being intended to enable small boat trailers to be run into and out of the water. Permission was granted, following which the reserve was handed over to the Taupo Domain Board as a recreation area for the benefit of visitors and residepts. He had hoped to be able to report at the meeting that this project had been achieved, but unfortunatply a petition signed by 18 people, a large proportion of whom were not permanent residents, had prevented progress, and no work eould be eontipued until the matter was clarified between the petitioners and the Marine Department. This was a severe blow to their ac'tivities as they had no launching facilities. They were taced with the prospect of holding the regatta, which was to be in aid of the Memorial Hall Fund, under very adverse conditions as fai as their ability to carry out theii effer to the Memorial Hall Fund Committee was concerned. IFollowing the chairman's report, the election of officers was held and resulted as follows: — Patron, Mr R. H. Ward. Vice- i patron, Mr J. B. Edlin; President, Mr Allan Wilson. Vice-president, Mr B. Fletcher. Commodore, Mr F'.> Galbraith. Vice-commodore, Mr G. Taylor. Club Captain, Mr J. E, Booth. Secretary, Mr E. P. Tay lor, Treasurer, Mrs J. E. Booth. Speedboats at Two Mile Bay. (To the Editor) Sir, A recent issue of your excellent' paper contained references to this matter and expressed surprise that eighteen residents of Two Mile Bay had petitioned against the construction. there of a concrete ramp— for .the use of speedboats. It is the speedboats we object to. The ramp is not needed for norma! xishing craft. Anyone who was within earshot of Two Mile Bay last Easter Sunday will appreciate. why

— we have protested. For 3 or 4 hours on that rather special day speedboats gave an earsplitting display tor the benefit of the passing public. They ran round and round the Bay like blowflies in a kitchen. The noise wras more distressing than jet aircraft at Farnorough or the geothermal bores at Wairakei. The latter is irritating but continuous; in comparison, it is the starting and revving-up of speedboats even more than the straight running which . makes them so unbearable. On Easter Sunday, some of us left home to avoid the noise. So did the fish. Two Mile Bay is a good fishing area which will not be improved by speedboats.

If the Taupo Town Board are keen 'to help the speedboat enthusiasts, they have an excellent solution within their own territory. A concrete ramp into the lake in front of the Lakeside Garage would help everyone. The site is at oue end of the area where speedboat races are usually held; and repair facilities are available across the road — a desirable feature. The Town Board, and the local residents, should be quite happy over this solution if the conditions laid down by the Internal Affairs Department are complied with. And Two Mile Bay will rernain an ideal quiet area for children to swim, for fishermen and for genuine Cpicnickers and campers. I arn, etc..

G. H.

CLIFTON.

Brigadier.