JET BOAT BODY GAINS IN STRENGTH

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30823, 7 August 1965, Page 11

JET BOAT BODY GAINS IN STRENGTH

Membership of the New 1 1 Zealand Jet Boat Association now numbers 290, an increase of 113 this year, according to the third annual report of the association. The president (Mr R. B. Johnston) reported that 60 entries a record, were received for the annual jet boat rally on the Waimakariri river last October. He commented that, because of the room required and boating time available, 60 would be the most boats which could compete at any one rally. The first North Island river rally for jet boats, held on the Manawatu river last April, was a great success, Mr Johnston said. He hoped that the Buller (held at Christmas) and Manawatu river rallies would become permanent events. Mr Johnston reported on a small boat safety conference convened by the Marine Department. Considerable progress had been made during the year with

the department in negotiations over the proposed motor launch regulations. A seasonal restriction on jet boating in the upper reaches of the Waimakariri and Rakaia rivers for three months each year to protect salmon spawning was agreed on between the jet boat association and the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, Mr Johnston reported. “Unfortunately, relations between jet boaters and fishermen did not always go smoothly. Some incidents occurred during the salmon season which caused complaints. Some' complaints could be justified, but other were without foundation. “Your committee is concerned at the bad publicity jet boats received through these incidents and the subsequent adverse correspondence printed in the newspaper,” Mr Johnson said. “I must point out that non-members of this association were often responsible. This makes it most import-

ant for us to enrol them as members so that they can receive the advantages of membership with its guidance, help and information. “It is proposed to give each member before next fishing season ‘notes of guidance’ for when encountering fishermen.” The association has members from Invercargill to Auckland, and in Australia and the United States.