TAUPO LAND PURCHASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19718, 18 August 1927, Page 12

TAUPO LAND PURCHASE.

Sir, —Your "leader" commenting on the Government's purchase brought to light a correspondent, "Reasonable Expectation." He seems to know all about this large block. He condemns same as having no shelter, no fishing stream and practically no lake-front fishing ground. I • cannot compliment him on his criticism as being fair. It is a small block. Further, it. contains a fine asset that is one of the very best breeding creeks. Your correspondent must know that Whakiapo Bay is the best trolling ground. I am certain that all launch-owners will agree that trolling parties take more fish each season out of Whakiapo Bay than anywhere else. A visit there at the present time would conclusively prove that there is on this property one of the best spawning creeks. Therefore, even allowing that there is no stream fishing and the reason for very little lake-front fishing is that the feeding grounds are some distance out over the ledges of rocks, which makes it dangerous for fly-fishing, that does not jilter the fact, that the Government was wise in securing this breeding creek. Tf the Government believes it can make usp nf the land, there is very little ground to find fault with the purchase. "Reasonable Expectation" endeavours to make capital out of the Government being in doubt whether the house will be sufficient accommodation, as he states on top of those doubts the Government intends putting in a road to the property. I did not read that the Oovemment intended to do so. What the Minister is reported to have said was that a rnport was being obtained reeard'ncr the construction of a suitable track Your corresnondent states that thp Government is not hesitating at extravagant expenditure. The Government's renort admits of onite the opnosite, showing that it intends waiting for results before hnildinsr. and also first getting a renort before deciding on constructincr a track That proves that it is hesitating and cautious. The Government knows that it is not a flv-fisherman's pararlise and that the bav has been used mostly bv trolling parties, who do not camp there. The rocks, etc., make it unsafe for launches t-o stay overnight and, ns the Tnupo wharf is less than one hour's run. surelv "Reasonable Expectation" will admit that the Government is ouite rieht in taking time to consider before extending the accommodation. J.L. Taupo, August 10.