MARITIME VISITOR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21923, 18 January 1946, Page 4

MARITIME VISITOR

LOCAL ASSOCIATION

Tire motor launch Maritza, which recently visited Gisborne en route from Napier to Tauranga on a holiday cruise, has several local associations, including tire fact that she was once owned by Mr. Alex. M. White, Ngatapa, and that when Mr. White purchased the boat in 1938 the overland transfer of the craft from Auckland to Waikaremoana was made by Mr. H. E. Monk, a Gisborne road transporter.

When Mr. White became owner, the launch was M.Y. Cyrena, but he renamed her Maritza, which was the name of his father’s several boats in early davs in England and was derived from Pietermaritzburg. Natal. the birthplace of Mr. White’s mother, whose middle name was the inspiration for the boat's title. The launch was then based at Auckland. and to transport her to Waikaremoana represented one of the great feats in the road transport annals of the Dominion, as the route lay through the difficult Urewera Country, but, despite the handicaps to be overcome, the trip was made in six days, although on one day only 3| miles’ progress was made.

The method of transport was similar to that used later to remove the vessel from the lake to Napier, except that a truck and trailer was used instead of a tractor and trailer. Earlier in her career the launch had been owned by the commodore of the Richmond Cruising Club, who had her built for him in Auckland. Before she came into the hands of the present owner she belonged to Mr. Williamson, who after purchasing her in 1942 from Mr. White removed her to Napier last. year.