I thought this had been settled, but as the questions have continued, we have to try to explain.  Anywhere else it would not matter, but this is in the heart of Turangi, where the river’s names are considered sacred.  Historical records from old fishing books were the main source.  The bridge was called “The Birches Bridge” up until DOC renamed it “Major Jones”, and that became the most common usage.  But now that a new bridge is being completed, it is the perfect time to restore the original historic name.  But I failed to consider the reaction…

The bridge was erected by the Army CMT (Compulsory Military Training) cadets in 1955 under the supervision of a Major Jones from Waiouru.  The new name was in his honour and, this is important, had nothing at all to do with the other Major Jones who frequented the pool located about 3oo yards (this was in the 1920s when the King’s English was still observed) downriver.

OK so far.  The more research, the more the confusion.  The reference books that established the name of the bridge are all in TRM’s library.  The first hint of a change of name was in the 1974 book by Tony Jensen, Trout of the Tongariro, in which he confesses on Page 87, “The Birches swingbridge is more often than not called the Major Jones bridge.  If one mentions the former, the reaction is one of surprise that a new one has been established from the Hatchery grounds to the eastern bank of the river, crossing at either the Upper or Lower Birch pools.  What the newcomer (this was over 50 years ago) may not realise is that the bridge was named after the property of Mr H. N. V. Boulton, whose lovely and extensive gardens are surrounded by the trees.”  OK?

Another reference is the Fishing Guide to the Tongariro River by Wallace Bain and Barry Greig, on Page 64 referring to the Breakfast Pool, advises: “this pool is about 100m below the Major Jones Footbridge…

Then, to offset that, there is the oft-quoted Pools of the Tongariro by Allan and Barbara Cooper, published 1975, Page 19, “Until the Birches bridge was built in 1955, it was necessary to cross the river by boat in order to fish the Major Jones.”

Then in Peter Gould’s 1981 book, The Complete Taupo Fishing Guide, the map on page 77 names the Major Jones footbridge.

In John Sierpinski’s 1969 book, Taupo Fishing Guide, the map on page 105 is more diplomatic, as if anticipating the squabble over the name, and is referred to as “Wooden Suspension Bridge (foot)”.

Last, the ultimate authority on anything to do with the history of the Tongariro River is usually the well-researched 2023 book, Fishing the Tongariro by Grant Henderson, which refers to 1958 flood damage on page 206, “the anglers’ bridge spanning the Major Jones Pool (?) fared better, losing only its central decking, and so could be repaired promptly.”

So we hope that clears up any misunderstandings…  Latest progress photos below taken on 11 August: