WAITAHANUI ANGLING ASSOCIATION

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 93, 30 October 1953, Page 1

WAITAHANUI ANGLING ASSOCIATION

ACCESS ROADS About four years ago three access roads were cpened leading from the main highway to the Waitahanui River for the use of anglers, the Waitahanui Angling Improvement Association being instrumenta! in having this work undertaken. Unfortunately, in the first season that the roads were opened, they were bloeked by Maori land owners. The Association 's October Bulletin states that following representations made from time to time to various Government Departments, which produced no results, the President of the Association, Mr O. S. Hintz, and Mr F. R. Logan, with authority from the annual meeting iast season had friendly discussions with the Maoris concerned. It then transpired that the Maori owners were concerned not so much with the roads themselves as with access over Maori lands served by the roads. Once this was appreciated, the Association offered and the Maori owners accepted an annual payment for access rights over the land in question, and the roads were opened prior to the end of last season. This arrangement will benefit all members who fish the river, and the Association appeals to all members to respect Maori property rights and to maintain the friendly relations now existing. The payments will be maintained until the Government extends legal roading further up the Waitahanui Valley. New Fishing Trophy. A new trophy has been presented to the Association by Mr Rua Ball. It is a handsome cup, to be held annually by the member catching on the fly, in the Waitahanui River or at its mouth, the heaviest fish of the sex opposite to that of the Dave McNicol Cup. The terms of fish taken by the winner of the the competition should increase members' interest in having outstanding fish recorded. The "Rua Opposite" Cup will be awarded annually, each holder to receive an inscribed fly-box as a permanent trophy. The Dave McNicol Cup for the heaviest fish taken last season in the Waitahanui was won by Mr Albert Hutt, with a nine pound rainbow. The Cup will be presented on a suitable occasion early in the coming season.