No Sign Yet Of Marine Department Control Of Lake Taupo

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 50, 29 June 1965, Page 11

No Sign Yet Of Marine Department Control Of Lake Taupo

it been Taupo that the Internal Affairs Department would hand back control of Lake Taupo to the Marine Department, but, as yet, no Ministerial statement has been made. The uitimate intention is that control should be veSted in an ad hoc authority representing local bodies and other organisations with interests in the lake. This will

not eventuate, however, until the Marine Department has re-organised the administration of Lake Taupo and established it as a self-sup-porting concern. A spokesman for the Marine Department has indicated that his department is ready to take control. The move to hand over, however must be made by the Internal Affairs Department. For the pnrpose of expediting this move, the Taupo Founty Advisory Commissioner, Mr D. O. Haskell, at the request of the council, visited Wellington recently, and it is expected that he will make a report on the situation at next week's meeting of the ccfuncil. The lake is at present control led by the Internal Affairs Department on be•half of the Marine Department through the harbourmaster, Mr P. Petersen, who, presumably, will continue in his present appointment when the change-over is effected. Mr Petersen took over as harbour-master 10 years ago. An officer of

, the Royal Yew Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve, . Mr Petersen saw sea ser- ■ vice at home and abroad during World War II., , holding command appointinents. He holds the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. His duties in Taupo are many and varied. He is responsible for the administration and supervision of Marine Acts and regulations as they apply to Lake Taupo. This includes the supervision of all boating activities, the allocation of moorings and berths and the laying and maintenance of moorings. During the time he has held his appointment, he has seen a great expansion in boating activity and development. This includes the establishment of the Kinloch and Motuoapa marinas and improved access to other parts of the lake which has all helped to increase boating activity. Mr Petersen is responsible for supervising the efficient maintenance of the lake's eight navigation lights, three in Taupo Harbour and one each at Rangitira Point, Boat Harbour, Cherry Bay, Motuwhara Island and Tokaanu. Maintenance is carried out by the Ministry of Works. He regularly inspects these lights. Another aspect of Mr Petersen's duty is public relations work.

This involves educating the public in water safety and imparting knowledge on seamanship, navigation and local conditions to the many boating enthusiasts who seek his aid. Ashore, he is responsible for the supervision of maintenance of harbour authority's equipment, buildings, installations and reserves. Boating, ski-ing and sailing on the lake has increased greatly during the past few years and it is obvious to local authorities that more money must be spent in developing facilities to keep pace with this increase. Local body opinion is that an ad hoc body should not take over control of the lake until it has been organised on a businesslike basis, paying its way, with facilities compatible with the requirements and standards of Lake Taupo as a first class resort. For this reason, they are anxious for the Marine Department to assume control and re-organise administration as soon as possible.