Bulletin headlines 1987

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 31, 19 January 1988, Page 13

Bulletin headlines 1987

Pipiriki clean-up criticised Residents of Pipiriki were in dispute over cleaning up work done on the site of Pipiriki House in January last year. The work involved cutting overgrown vegetation, which some said changed the nature of the site adversely. Desert Road danger A Waiouru doctor warned motorists to adjust their driving for the treacherous conditions on the Desert Road. Whanganui National Park officially opened Tiny Pipiriki on the Wanganui River was host to more than 800 people for the ceremonial opening of the new Whanganui National Park on Saturday 7 February 1987. Waimarino County Council overturns decision An earlier decision by the council to refuse an application from the Maori Affairs Department to build four flats for the elderly at Pipiriki was overturned. Waimarino Sportsperson Skier Patrick Cooper was chosen as 1986 sportsperson of the year from six nominees. Great Jubilee Parade Ohakune spent a week celebrating its 75th jubilee, with events including a debutante ball, senior citizens' reunion, fairground displays, a sports dinner, rugby g a m e (complete with a number of All Blacks as guest players), and the parade. Innovative water treatment Ultra-violet disinfection of Ohakune's water supply was the council's choice after months of indecision. Conservation order sought for local river In March last year the Minister of Intemal Affairs applied for a conservation order for the Manganui a Te Ao and four named tributaries. Ohakune's future linked to ski field plans Turoa's plan to double the ski fields' capacity was announced at the introduction of the new public company, New Zealand Ski Fields Limited. Up to two million shares were offered for sale to the public. Karioi Forest jobs axed After the reorganisation of the Forest Service the staff numbers at Karioi were cut from 45 down to just five. Poor crops for carrot growers Waimarino growers faced dccreased yields and harvesting problems due to 'bolting' of carrots, which some blamed on bad seed. County plans Rangataua changes The Waimarino County Council was granted a water right for a sewage reticulation scheme for Rangataua township. Birth of a new department In April Tongariro National Park staff gathered

to mark the passing of the Lands and Survey Department and ihe start of the Department of Conservation. End of an era for Waimarino dairy farming April 1987 saw the end of dairy farming in the Waimarino with the sale of two complete herds o f dairy cattlc. Landcorp's allocation questioned The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society claimed they had found 26 mistakes and anomalies in public lands allocation to the new Department of Conservation, the Forest Corporation and the Land Corporation. New quad complete Turoa's new ski lift, with chairs that can carry four passengers each, was finished mid June last year. Archaeology survey suggested The Native Forests Action Council called for an Archaeological survey of the Whanganui National Park to be undertaken. Fifty year warm-up A 300m (1000ft) rise in the snow line within the next 50 years was predicted by Meteorological Office staff last year. Longest bridge completed The new Hapuawhenua railway viaduct, the longest in New Zealand, on the Ohakune-Horopito deviation was commissioned by Railways Minister Richard Prebble on 30 June 1987. Committee investigating sites for Ruapehu airport A group investigating possible airport sites in National Park and Owhango were given encouragement by Air New Zealand who said there was a viable market for flights to Mt Ruapehu. School buses future uncertain Rural school bus services came under threat with the government announcement in July that they would tender the services to private operators and encourage competition. Official opening of lift Whakapapa Ski Fields' detachable quad chairlift, the first in New Zealand, was officially opened on 1 August. World Cup application from Turoa New Zealand Ski Fields announced plans in August to apply to hold a 1989 World Cup ski series event at Turoa. Mid winter warmth A Bulletin reader claimed to have recorded an outside in-shade temperature of 26°C on Saturday 22 August 1987! Higher Altitude for Turoa sought Among submissions made on the Draft Management plan of Tongariro National Park was one calling for an

increase in the altitude of Turoa's boundary. Sparks fly at Rangataua residents meeting Waimarino County Councillors and ratepayers clashed at a public relations meeting over the proposed Rangataua sewerage scheme. Huge slip kills river A massive slip turned the Retaruke River into a "slimy, glutinous grey ooze", killing all fish and vertebrates in the river in September. Bungeeee! A large number of spectators were treated to a spectacular land dive by some bungee jumpers who leapt from the Hapuawhenua Viaduct. Railways officials were not impressed, however, as permission for the event had not been given. Tongariro National Park turns 100 New Zealand's first national park celebrated its centennial in September 1987.

Chairlift out for season Turoa's Giant Chairlift was not expccted to opcratc during the last part of the 1987 ski season after a major gearbox failure. More water for the Wanganui wanted A coalition was formed in October to lobby for increased water flows in the Wanganui River by limiting the diversion of water to the Tongariro Power Scheme. Gruelling race, from mts to sea Perfect conditions were enjoyed for the 287km Norsca Mountains to the Sea triathlon held at Labour Weekend. National Park angry at Postbank closure National Park residents petitioned against the closing of their post office which will mean the loss of the town's only banking facility. Pines battle threatened The Department of Con-

servation 20 year battle with the weed pinus contorta, which threatens to smother the park if not kept under control, was seen to be jeopardized by Ministry of Agriculture plans to concentrate on "latent nOxious plants", excluding such weeds as contorta. Last stamp for post office The Ohakune Junction Post Office closed on 27 November, after serving the community for more than seventy years. Pool closure angers Rangataua residents and the Rangataua School Committee were at odds over the decision to close the school pool outside normal school hours. Doctor and Family settle in After almost a year of uncertainty Raetihi finally had a resident doctor with the arrival of Dr Jim Corbett and his family in December.

Junction Station to be 'unattended' New Zealand Railways announced in December that the Ohakune Junction Railway Station would not be manned from January 1988. Bhutan term for Mayor Ohakune Mayor Bill Taylor announced his plans to take up a VSA position in the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. Bell tolls on toll exchange Ohakune's toll exchange closed on 21 December, with all seven staff accepting voluntary severance pay. Promoters unite Ruapehu South Business Association completed a draft marketing strategy for promoting tourism in the Waimarino in summer as well as winter. The group was formed in the last few months of 1987 after what was for many businesses a disastrous 1987 ski season.