Tokaanu Stream Reserve Provided

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30631, 23 December 1964, Page 9

Tokaanu Stream Reserve Provided

(New Zealand Press Association)

ROTORUA, December 21.

Provision had been made for an adequate reserve around the headquarters of the Tokaanu stream and along its banks in planning for the Turangi hydro-electric village the chairman of the Taupo County Council (Mr H. M. Besley) said today.

He was commenting on views expressed at a meeting of the Federation of Lake

Taupo Angling, Boating and Gun Clubs. The federation decided to recommend to the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath) that the stream be declared closed to angling. The Tokaanu stream had its source from springs and the water supply for the township would be drawn from the same area, Mr Besley said. There would be a water conservation reserve.

Furthermore, the stream would have a reserve area at least five chains wide on each hank down the whole of its length to the proposed powerhouse tail-race.

The planned reserve in the water supply area of 200 acres and the five chains reserve along the river was for the purpose of protecting the trout spawning areas. The proposed recommendation of the federation that the Tokaanu stream be closed to anglers was a matter for the Minister and department concerned, he said. The Assistant Conservator of Wild Life, Rotorua (Mr P. J. Burstall) said the stream was of vital importance dur-

mg the spawning season. Because it ran next to the proposed Turangi village, there was a feeling it might be spoilt and become the haunt of poachers. Mr Burstall also said the Tongariro power scheme, in some aspects, was helping to improve fishing conditions for anglers. He said that diversions on the Tongariro river to previously famous fishing pools were being undertaken by the Ministry of Works in conjunction with quarrying near the river which began today.