Recollections of Kawau Island – By Bob Edwards 

Bob Edwards lived on Kawau for a ‘number’ of years (he was the ferrymaster at one stage) & this is a record of his recollections of those times. It was given to Keith Presland & typed by Flo Presland (I love the old typewriter font & hand corrections)

This was forward to ww by Ken Ricketts & I have posted the tale because I agree with KR in that much of the history contained herein may be lost forever, if this is not recorded in a formal way. While not all wooden boat related, Kawau is a special place to most of us & I’m sure this 15 page tale will be an enjoyable read for most of you.

Click on the link (blue text) below to view / read – enjoy 🙂

KAWAU MEMORIES -BOB EDWARDS RESIDENT FROM 1940s TO EARLY 70s

photo of Bob Edwards on-board ‘Kawau Isle’ at North Cove c1970’s

Harold Kidd Update

It’s a great piece of local history with some brilliant, spare tales. A few comments. NANCIBEL was built by Bailey & Lowe in 1920 and was not a conversion of Andros’ open boat. “Emptage” is Emtage of course of Motuora who had the launch ILA/OLA. “Bunty” Palmer married a Nops. Unless I’m confusing the several KORORAs, this KORORA was built by David Reid in 1907 for Judge Seth-Smith and was later MURIWAI, then OSTEND before reverting to KORORA. She had been used by the RNZAF who had bought/hired her from Whakatane in 1943. She then had a K2 Kelvin which was undoubtedly replaced in service by the standard armed forces issue of a Chrysler.

PS Spero Andros sold NANCIBEL to Gubbs shortly after his wife Molly (Kathleen Mary) died in February 1941. Gubbs’ first day of operation was 11th June 1941.

A Neat Idea from Baden Pascoe

This is great stuff. Let’s ask any readers if they can find photos of the boats mentioned in the articles. I remember the “Mairie” (not sure if the spelling is correct) very well. One of the Harrison boys ran her out of Whitianga. Last time I saw her she was on the hard up at Te Atatu as an unfinished project. Shame, nice little boat. One day my brother Mitch and I were steaming with her in a big sea out by the Twins (in Mercury Bay), man could she roll!