LIVE SHELL PRACTICE

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 56, 11 February 1953, Page 1

LIVE SHELL PRACTICE

GUN FIRE NEAR LAKE SHORE Through Sunday and Monday and the intervemng night Taupo residents heard at intervals last week a series of heavy low-:toned explosive noises which were by many put down to Ngaruahoe volcano. It was however the voice of Army guns at Tihoi, west of Taupo. Another live shoot is scheduiled to take place there from February 19th. to 27t:h. inclusive between the hours of 5 a.m. and 10.50 p.m. daily. The danger area lies to the North from the shoreline of Lake Taupo at Kawakawa Bay and contains those portions of Tihoi-Mokai-Whakamaru Roads which traverse Crown Lands in the Tihoi Block. The area under fire lies between the Mokai-Tihoi Road and Lake Taupo. Danger on Lake Beach. Aithough the beach in Kawakawa Bay (sometimes referred to as Maraekowhai Bay) is the southern limit of the danger area notified by the Marine Department it is obvious that these shell practices preclude anglers or picnickers from use of it. Kawakawa Bay lies between Whangamata Bay and Waihora, and Boat Harbour, the wel-known l^unch. resort, is on its westerh shoreline. Warnings of projected practices are sent to the Taupo Commercial Launch Owne^s, Association by the Marine Department, at Auckland. At the Annual Wild Life Conference held in Taupo on November 6, 1952, these live shell practices were referred to and ihe view expressed that wh.ile no difficulties should be put in the way of Amiy training it seemed undesirable that any portion of the shore of Lake Taupo should at any time be closed to use by anglers, picnickers or sportsmen. The Oontroller of Wild Life, Mr G. F. Yerex, stated at the Conference that he would take the matter up with Army Headquarters. Meantime local anglers have expressed the opinion that as a national tourist resort the Lake shore should not be* encroached upon in thds way.