SPEED BOAT TAXI

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 139, 24 September 1954, Page 6

SPEED BOAT TAXI

PROPOSED LAKE SERVICE AT TAUPO A letter before the Borough Council meeting on Wednesday, September 15, from Messrs A. H. Dyke and W. Kilmister, stated that the writers were applying to the Internal Affairs Department, Rotorua, for a license for a water taxi on Lake Taupo, and requqsted that the Council give their support to the application. „ The license applied for was described as being one to operate a speed boat taxi service, similar to those operating on other lakes in New Zealand. The licensing of boats plying for hire.on the Lake is administered by the Internal Affairs Department, and all such vessels are required to pass survey by the Marine Department annually. The intention was to ply for hire from a pontoon stationed on the Lake edge at the end of Tongariro Street of thereabouts, and to carry passengers on trips of some twenty minutes duration to say, Acacia Bay, thence to Two Mile Bay, returning to the pontoon along the Lake front far enough from shore not to endanger swimmers or small boating off shore. In addition, the service would include private hirex sight-seeing trips to points of interest on the Lake, short night excursions over a given route, and towing of aquaplanes and sea-skis* The writers stated that the speed boat would act as a mercy boat in event of illness or accident on the Lake. The license being applied for was to include if possible provision for larger speedboats to be employed as trade increases to provide cheap scenic and tourist trips for the many who have no desire to fish but who want the pleasure of boating and sight-seeing on Lake Taupo.

The water taxis would at no time be hired for fishing trips. The boat the writers wished to start with was powered with a V-8 motor with seating accommodation for six people including the pilot. The Council decided to support the application. rg