Historic schooner to return to Nelson?

Press, 13 June 1989, Page 5

Historic schooner to return to Nelson?

PA Nelson The owners of the historic auxiliary schooner Te Aroha have agreed to sell it to the Nelson Mariners’ Association for $280,000, and it could be back in Nelson by June next year. Announcing this, the association’s secretary-treasurer, Mr Richard Tidmarsh, said, “It’s up to the community now.”

Mr Tidmarsh was advised by telephone on Sunday that the Aotea Shipping Company, Auckland, was willing to sell and was awaiting the arrival of a contract. The association has pledged $50,000 and is expecting another $20,000 at least from a buy-a-nameplate scheme. It was also seeking money from the New Zealand Tourist Board and an insurance group in Wellington, and would rely heavily on a grant from the New Zealand Lotteries Commission, Mr Tidmarsh said.

“A submission will go before them in September.” He said Nelson businesses were also showing interest in contributing and that the association hoped that the whole community would support the project. “We’re expecting the whole project to be tidied up by November.” The agreement with the owners said that the Te Aroha’s forward bookings had to be honoured and the ship would not be expected in Nelson before June, 1990. The Nelson Mariners’ Association was formed in August, 1987, when Mr Tidmarsh became keen on getting the Te Aroha back to Nelson.

The 27-metre kauri-hulled ship plied out of Nelson for 48 years and was the last trading vessel to regularly use Port Mapua. It was withdrawn from service in Nelson in 1976 and is now based in Auckland and used for adventure- cruises and charter work.