NEWS ITEMS

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 63, 1 April 1953, Page 5

NEWS ITEMS

Motor Carap Facilities. — ;It was mentioned at the Quarterly General Meeting of the Business Men's Association last week that visitors to Taup& had commented freely upon the site and facilities of the new Town Board camping ground, which. is situated on the Waikato River bank at the spot known as the Old Orchard, and that it had met with general approval. * Map for Visitors. — At last week's meeting of the Town Board Mr C. Vedder stated that the Business Men's Association wished to place a large notice board near the Post Office in Tongariro Street, bearing a map of the town, and had requested him to seek the Board's permission, and to ask whether the Board would supply lighting for the same. Similar map notiees, said Mr Vedder, had been erected in other towns for the information of visitors. The Board agreed to give permission and to supply lighting for the board. ★

Interesting Sight Near Hatepe. — Our Hatepe correspondent reports that an amazing sight was seen recently at Hallett's Bay (Hamaria), near Hatepe, when the waters were boiling with tish. Boats were passing over shoals ' of trout, which refused to accept any lures offered. The appearance of such numbers of trout may have been due to the possible presence in the Bay of large numbers of smelt. ★ Bicycle Tail Lights. — After May 1 next it will be obligatory for bicycle riders to have tail lights fitted on their cycles. The Rotorua Post reports that at a recent Borough Council Works Committee meeting members were not aware whether the tail-light had to foe fitted in all cases, or only when the cycle was used at night. Senior Traffic Inspector B. P. Muggeridge has now stated that it will be obligatory to have a red tail-light and reflector as well when riding at night but if the cycle is not used at night there will be no legal obligation i to fit either. *

Western Bay Fishing. — While fishing on the whole has not been easy, there were some fine fish among those reported from Waihaha last week. Mr J. Cowley, of Matamata, took a twelve pound female brown on the fly. Mr J. Reeve, of Tahuna, also on the fly, took two rainbows in perfect condition, a made of eight and three quarter pounds, and a Xemale of nine pounds. One lot of fish brougnt in from the Western Bays to be smoked comprised fifty-two fish, all in excellent condition. Representing two days fishing for four different camping parties, this lot did not indicate large catches, but the quality was outstanding. ★

Proposed Fire Break. — The Town Clerk, Mr S. Torepe, placed before the recent Town Board meeting an enquiry received from the Lands and Survey Department as to whether the Board would be prepared to maintain a two chain fire break between the Golf Links and the Napier Highway near the . Terraces Hotel, estimated as likely to be about 120 chains in length, if the Department formed it. It was decided to ascertain from the Department whether they would form it in such a way that it could be maintained by a tractor and discs, and also to ascertain the actual length of the proprosed break and the cost of maintaining it. The Department had estimated this cost at about £50 every two years.

Escaped Prisoner. — James Capel Hopkins, also known as James Ian McRae, who escaped from Hautu Prison, near Tokaanu, on March 24, is still at large. Hopkins is known in Taupo, having been employed some six months ago by the Ministry of Works here.