NURSERY AREA MAY BE RESTORED

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 42, 1 June 1965, Page 3

NURSERY AREA MAY BE RESTORED

The second stage development associated with the diversion and stabilisation of the Tongariro River downstream from the main highway bridge at Turangi, is expected to restore the nur/sery area, ruined for fishing by the 1958 floods. Mr P. J. Burstall, assistant conservator of wild life for the Department of internal Affairs, Rotorua, said this following the closing of tenders, on Monday, for a contract which involves the extraction of 80,000 yards of metal from the Hutt Nursery Reach. It follows the preliminary diversion of the river to its original course past the Swirl Pool. Mr Burstall said the work would provide more angling waters, a good holding area for fish and improvements in river control. "It is being undertaken and carried out on the best engineering advice," he said. Although the diversion

restored the river to the .'daurse it followed before breaking its banks in the 1958 floods, he said, the river banks were not now in the same position. "We think it will stay to this course now just the same," said Mr Burstall. "It depends largely on the chance of flooding again this winter. It could be j some time before we know j if the work has been a j

complete success." Mr Burstall said the second stage would restore the nursery area, ruined for fishing by the 1958 floods, and help to stabilise that stretch. The work would be supervised by Mr T. Thomson, wildlife ranger at Turangi, on behalf of the Waikato Valley Authority and the department.