The following is given on: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~j_lowe/C4scows.htm
The New Zealand scow form of construction was introduced to N.Z. in the 1870s by shipowners and builders with knowledge of Canadian and American Great Lakes shipping. The North American form underwent further development to suit the climatic and tidal conditions of northern New Zealand as recognised by the leading American maritime historian Howard I. Chapelle.
The predominant form of New Zealand sailing scow was designed to carry all cargo on deck although a minority were built with holds. They were generally completely flat-bottomed and hard-chined with athwartships bottom-planking obviating the need for floors. The sides were constructed of heavy timbers on edge, through-bolted. Longitudinal partitions consisting of either solid through-bolted timbers or “post-and-rail” (essentially box girder) construction supported the deck beams, the central partition forming one side of the centre-board case. Only a few had a conventional keel. Almost all had centreboards but a few early ones had lee-boards. Early N.Z. scows were square-bowed (the predominant North American form) but sharp-bowed forms quickly developed to suit squally coastal sailing conditions. Almost all were ketch or schooner rigged with the largest ones having three masts. Large mizzens relative to the mainsail seem to have been characteristic. A number of local non-powered barges employed some of the same elements of construction.
Between 130 and 140 N.Z. sailing scows were built between 1873 and 1925 depending on which of the marginal hybrids you count. A small number continued trading into the 1960’s as powered vessels or auxiliaries. A few still exist or are under restoration. An auxiliary passenger-carrying replica (the Ted Ashby) operates from the N.Z. National Maritime Museum (Auckland). The hulks of a number of others are still sufficiently intact to be able to provide further details of variation in construction method.
More info on scows is given on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scow
Samoa 1999 $6 sg1041, scott?