Aquatic Sports at Two Mile Bay

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 45, 19 November 1952, Page 6

Aquatic Sports at Two Mile Bay

SPEED BOATS AND THEIR OBJECTORS (To the Editor.)

Sir, — . Bei ng a whole-hearted supporter of all outdoor sports, the progress of Taupo, and an interested reader of your paper, I would like to commient on recreation de^elopments at TwoMile Bay, Up till approximately three months ago Two-Mile Bay was a matted mass of blackberry, broom and manv other noxious weeds which provided an excellent breeding ground for the expanding wasp menace. Since this area has been handed over to the Taupo Domain Board they have very efficiently and quickly cleared out the wasps breeding ground and a serious fire hazard. One must realise that puiblic Domains cost a lot of money to develop. These funds must come from ratepayers or from some voluntary source. The Aquatic Sports Club have so far done an excellent job in providing access of high standard to the water's edge which has been enjoyed by the public generally, interested sightseers, dingey owners, sinai! craft with small two-stroke engines and one or two speed boats. I would like to point out that fcwenty odd voluntary workers were all Taupo permanent residents and ratepayers to the Town Board with the exception of one. It seems unfair that property owners who visit the area once, twice or three times a year only should vote against people wh/i live there the whole year round.

Now for motor sports generally: Dirt-track stadiums are put in built up areas; some local bodies throughout New Zealand close roads for motor cycle events, some for motorcar events, Harbour Boards and River Boards grant permission all over New Zealand for speed boat events Government and defence officials co-operate with racing car clubs and see fit to close the Ohakea Aerodrome for one full day to let these enthusiasts give vent to their feelings. All these authorities are to be congratulated on the way they co-operate with the various sports bodies.

As regards the complaint that the speed boats spoil the fishing. I am a very keen fly fisherman myself, and have always found the fishing better after boats have been m an area and I see from your paper that the Acquatic Sports Club have several members of its Executive Committee who are vitally incerested in trout and I feel sure that these people would not support a Club whoni they thought disturbed the fishing in the lake.

There are 238 sq. miles of water in Eake Taupo, 92 miles of beach and coast line, 365 ,days in a year, and 8760 hours. The Club holds one or sometimes two regattas a year with boats running around for about five hours each day, and at different times when local people or visitors want to play or tow aquaplanes or water skis— no more than 80 hours. Is it too much to ask for 100 hours out of approximately 9000 hours, 1 sq. mile out of 238, 100 yds. of beach out of 92 miles ? We must realise that these 18 partisaners are not all the property ov ners oi the Bay. These sports take place all over the world. For every cne person "remorseing" there ara 100 rejoicine.

The Club intended to spend its funds ^ and raise these funds to put xaeijities in the area and help to vnrke an emenity in what one would 11 practically a rate free area, which in my opinion should be rated in the Town Board area instead of a No Man's Land. I suggest that a meeting be convened and all interested parties attend and express ■their views to see if an agreement csm be reached. Those present might ir ~lude the "Partisans" representatives, Town Board, Wild Life, Internal Affairs, Marine Dept., Taupo Businessmen's Association, Taupo Aquatic Sports Club. It is far better to have something constructive

i than destructive and I feel sure that the various bodies controlling this area will realise that they cannot satisfy all of the people all of the time but they are doing a good job if they satisfy some of the people some of the time. — I am, etc.,

J. T.

HOGAN.

(Member, Taupo Rod and Gun Club, Waitahanui Anglers Club, Tongariro Anglers Qlub, Taupo Aquatic Sports Club and bach owner at Two Mile Bay.)

THE CLUB IN REPLY (To the Editor) Sir, — W e feel that the letter appearing in your wprthy paper, and signed by G. H. Clifton, cannot go unanswered. Firstly it is misleading in fact, in that it claims the ramp proposed to be erected at Two-Mile Bay, is for the use of speed boats. As a small club, we are endeavouring, by our own efforts, with no thought of financial gain, or outside assistance, to provide an arnenity for many boating visitors, thereby promoting Taupo and assisting boating in general. There are at present, four speed boats in the locality, and no prospect of an increase in this number in view, plus, at an idle guess, one hundred small craft, to whom the erection of a ramp, would be beneficial. Most of the small craft are brought to Taupo during the holiday periods. Is it right that a small minority should deprive the owners of such the privilege of enjoying decent launching f acilities ? It is indeed distressing to see visitors to Taupo, strenuously trying* to launch their trailer- borne craft and later removing them from the Lake, in most cases, wading waist deep in water.

Two-Mile Bay has been used by our members for four years, and it was only after our application to erect a ramp in the area, had been made, that a complaint was lodged. Since the date, of the aforesaid application, the Town Board have made a very commendable step in having the hlackberry and weed cleared. Prior to that, there was a very limited length of waters edge acess;ble, as blackberry grew to, and overhung even to a eouple of feet over the water. We feel that people, who previously swam or fished there must have been long distance swimmers, or remarkably good fishermen. Unless the area is kept under some tfontrol, it will rapidly return to it's former state.

With regard to noise admittedly this feature may be irritating, but we are pleased to inform those so disposed that at the recent New Zealand Speed Boat Association Conference, recommendation was made by our two Taupo delegates that steps should be made to equip all racing motors wdth silencing devices. This suggestion was warmly received, and delegates from throughout the country were agreed that thorough investigation should be made along these lines, thereby promoting a kindlier attitude, from those opposed to speed boat racing, on those grcunds. « '

It has been established, as a resu't of careful and exacting tests in America, that speed boat racing is beneficial, rather than detrimentai, to fishing, and to that end is recommended in some areas. Patrons to our regattas in past years have had e^ery opportunity of seeing trout at close range, swimming and playing on the surface of the water, while racing was in progress. Re^orts from Jerusalem Bay, the day "oliowing our 1951 Regatta, • reveal 'hat it was a particularly good day for fishing.

It should be remembered that the noise of speed boats is all above Water. Under the surface they are practically silent. Much more disturhance is made in this respect by under water exhaust outboardv motors. Prove it for yourself by putting ycur head under water when any such craft is in the vicinity. The conditions as laid down by the Internal Affairs Department, referred to by your correspondent, were

drawn up, we understand, principally to give fishing enthusiasts and boating followers; equality. We have made untiring efforts in the past to xind a suitable laun6hing site and the suggestion that the Lake-side Garage locality be considered indicates that very little thought was given on this srore. No regattas have been held on the Lake Front since war broke out. The Main Highways Board will not agree to a ramp in this area. One of its restrictions regarding same being erected at Two-Mile Bay, is that parkiiig space be provided for at a comfortable distance from the main highway. The depth of water on the Lake Front is not sufficient to permit boats to float off their trailer s. Prevailing winds make launching dangerous. The reference to the garage in the proximity seems amusing Avhen it is remembered that one usualiy creeps before walking; therefore one usualiy knows sufficient about motors to effect adjustments before racing. In truth, it is suggested that while the noise is not wanted at Two Mile Bay, the larger number of residents in the vicinity of Lakeside Garage could endure it!

In conclusion,, we, the Taupo Motor Boat and Acquatic Sports Club, hope solely to improve the lot of the small craft owner of the type to whom Winston Churchill felt so indebted for their major role in the evacuation to Dunkirk.

I am, etc.,

E. P.

TAYLOR,

iHon. Sec. Taupo Aquatic Sports Club. Taupo November, 12th., 1952. RAMP FOR ALL (To The Editor.) Sir, — With reference to Brigadier G. H. CliftoiTs letter published in the Taupo Times of November 5th. the writer apparently has not got his • facts quite correct. The concrete ramp that was proposed to be erected at Two Mile Bay was not for the use of Speed Boats only, but was to be used as a launching platform for all visitors to Taupo bringing iaunehes or boats . on traiiers from the south.

The noise made by the speed boats last Easter that is complained about, was made by the boats of residents in the vicinity of Two Mile Bay and this will continue as long as the residents of Two Mile Bay own speed boats. Whether there is a concrete ramp or not it should be pointed out that because' the launching- platform is at Two Mile Bay, it does not necessarily follow that the racing will take place. there. * -There is only one official day's racing held by the Taupo Motor Boat and Aquatic Sports Club and this is held annually on Boxing Day and providing- that weather condiitions are favourable it is hoped to hold these races on the waterfront between the bottom of Tongariro Street and Rifle Range Road. If weather conditions are not favourable the races would have to take place > at Acacia Bay as previously arranged. 7 ; J tx L am, etc.,

W. J.

Stevens,

Chairman, War Memorial Ha.ll Committee.