Southern Maid: Ernie Lane Launch

Everything We Know About The Southern Maid

Southern Maid was built in 1928 or 29 in Picton by Ernest (Ernie) Richard Lane.  Lanes boatyard was on The Spit and produced commercial boats and launches between 1908 and 1946.  The Southern Maid was built with a carvel planked hull made of kauri and Oregon pine was used for the topsides and interior. The Southern Maid was built without a cockpit according to a comment on Waitemata Woodys as her first owner was a “remittance man” who wanted the aft deck kept clear for dancing.

Her first owner was Edward Hartley of PIcton.  Hartley owned the Southern Maid from 1928 until 1931 when she was transferred to the Croisalled farmer Mr Keller and M. Robinson from Picton who had her from 1931 to 1935. Joe Billings of Wellington is also said to have owned her in 1931 and up to 1941.  In 1941 the Southern Maid was presumably requisitioned for the war as she was owned by the RNZ Navy from 1941 to 1947. Then in 1947 until 1948 Joe Billings regained ownership. From 1948 until 2010 Alister Macalister owned her and in 1972 Ian Macalister joined in owning the Southern Maid.  In 2011 until an unknown date Christopher Bowe owned her.

We believe she is currently owned by John and is berthed at Pauatahanui Inlet. On the 22nd April 2026 Grant Nalder the Wellington Regional Harbourmaster issued a directive on the Southern Maid stating she needs to be “removed from the water and either made seaworthy and operational
before relaunching or disposed off” by the 25th May 2026. Following this directive she was put up for sale in a bid to save her as her current owner is unwell. As of early June 2026 she was under offer and hopefully on her way to a new owner.