old days on the Opawa River at Blenheim

The Opawa River which runs through Blenheim, although shallow, is navigable by flat bottom boats, and was served by them for many years, finally by the scow Echo into the mid-1960s.  For more info, see the book New Zealand Maritime Images: the Golden Years.  These two postcards are probably from the 1900s, the vessel in the second seems more intended for pleasure than merchandise transport.