THE ROYAL VISITORS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3806, 22 February 1927, Page 7

THE ROYAL VISITORS.

CAMP AT LAKE TAUPO. AUCKLAND, February 14. A day spent at Tokaanu shows that preparations are now well forward for the Royal visit to Tongariro River, Lake Taupo. Kowhai Flat, the spot chosen for the fishing camp, is 20 minutes’ motor run from Tokaanu. Zane Grey’ camped there last year, and plans to do so later this year. A good road has been constructed from the main Tokaanu-National Park road to the camp, a distance of about a quarter of a mile. The camp site is a grassy flat, wir.it rising ground clothed in small native bush trees on the left hand as one approaches it. On the right hand, viewed through the interlacing branches of tho finest grove of kowhai trees to be seen round the shores of Lake Taupo, is the white water of the Tongariro swirling down in foam from one’ quiet pool to another. Across the river is a steep bush-covered bank—a charming foreground to the misty’ blue forest-cladslopes of the rugged Kai manawa Ranges. Closer at hand, in the opposite direction, towers the great bulk of Pihanga Mountain. Two large kahikatea trees form a striking feature of the site, still further beautified by several clumps of totaras. The camp kitchen, electric powerhouse, storeroom, and shbwer bath building are all now nearing completion. The kitchen has a large cooking range with two ovens. A hot water service is incorporated, and water for shower baths an'd all camp purposes has been laid on by’ pipelines radiating from a tower tank, to which it is elevated by a ram installed in a nearoy creek. Electric light is being installed throughout the camp, the power to Ikgenerated by a petrol engine and a dynamo. A radio receiving set is also to be part of the camp equipment. Large marquees are to be erected for dining halls, and tents are to be used for sleeping purposes. An adequate area near the entrance to the camp site has been cleared for the parking of cars.

A track has been cleared giving access to about a mile of fishing water above, and the same length below the camp. The river varies along this distance from quietly gliding reaches to rushing rapids, with occasional still pools, behind whose boulders inay lurk the giant rainbow waiting for what the river may bring as he rests from battling with the heavier water of the rapids. The scenery along the banks is everywhere delightful. A walk along the banks near the camp showed that there are already a good number of fish in the river. The fact that the fish will be going up stream in increasing numbers from now on augurs well for the fishing prospects of the Royal visitors. An inspection of the camp made by launch from Delta camp, at the mouth, up to Grace’s camp, disclosed that the lower reaches also contain a considerable number of fish. For some time large numbers have been seen at Delta camp mouth. Three anglers fishing there on Tuesday secured respectively 23, 19, and 17 fish each on the fly. One of these fly fishermen, a visitor from India, fishing on Friday in the reaches above Delta camp, returned for lunch with seven fish caught since breakfast, one being a 12pounder, and all were good conditioned fish. The average weight of recentcatches here has been from sglb to 71b. As the fish move up stream in shoals it is a common experience for the average weight on one day’s catch to be from I,lb to different from that of the previous day’s catch, according to the shoals entering the river from day to day varying in average size. These lower reaches will be within easy reach of the camp by_car and launch. Should the party wish to visit them the roads in the "district ’ are in better

condition than ever before, and a con-! siderable amount of work is being done at various points between Tokaanu and National Park. A tractor,- grader, and motor road roller have been at work for some time. In addition to several parties of men from Waikuni and Rangipo prison camps. The authorities responsible for choosing Kowhai Flat as the fishing camp for the Royal party are to be congratulated, both on their knowledge of the Taupo district and on their taste. A camp more beautiful and more typical of New Zealand in its appeal would be difficult to find.