Piri Pona is afloat again

Taupo Times, Volume 20, Issue 3, 14 January 1971, Page 1

Piri Pona is afloat again

One of the oldest boats at present sailing on Lake Taupo is the motor launch Piri Pona, which has been returned to the water after a lengthy spell in dry dock.

Built in 1927 of solid mahogany, the Piri Pona recently changed hands when her previous owner, Auckland retired businessman, Mr Robert Laidlaw, sold his Waipahihi property. The new owner is Palmerston North businessman, Mr Blair Major, and his family. During World War II Mr Laidlaw offered the Piri Pona to the Government and she was put into service by the Royal New Zealand Air F orce. It was then that her hull was painted, but parts of the decking are still finished in natural mahogany. During her war service, which was spent on Auckland harbour, the Piri Pona was fitted with twin Gray Marine

petrol motors which even now give comfortable cruising speed of 25 knots. The steering wheel obviously once belonged to a classic English car — perhaps a Rolls Royce or a Bentley. When first built, the Piri Pona was an open launch. The cabin top was fitted later. Shortly after arriving at their new holiday home, Mr Major and his son, Simon, began working on the old launch to get everything ship-shape. The slipway from the boathouse was partly covered with silt and high pressure hoses Hvere brought in to clear the lines. The vessel was re-launched and returned to the waters of the lake to provide holiday fun for the family. * Picture: Mr Major and Simon on the jetty beside the Piri Pona.