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When the future historian, novelist, dramatist, or student of life turns, as turn he will, to the Cyclopedia of New Zealand for information or inspiration, it is probable that the sections devoted to old colonists will interest him most and delay him longest, especially if he is in search of the distinctive human elements and vicissitudes of early colonial times. It is no part of the plan of the conductors of the Cyclopedia to publish biographies of all old colonists; that would be practically impossible, and it is not necessary for any practical purpose; but in this section, and in the corresponding sections of other volumes, sketches that are interesting in themselves, and invaluable for the light they throw on the characters and lives of pioneer colonists and on the salient characteristics of early colonial life and enterprise, are presented to the reader. Nor is this all; for glimpses into other times, customs and countries are obtained by means of not a few of these notices, which touch on adventures, disclose elements of romance, and present views of many-coloured life throughout that older and larger outer world, whence the early colonists came to this country. It is true that biographies which contribute to these results are to be found in well nigh all parts of the Cyclopedia, and in connection with the names of men who are not in a specific sense old colonists. Then, in keeping with the plan of the work, many of the fathers and founders of the country are dealt with under the districts to which they belonged or still belong through residence; but where convenience is served and nothing else is prejudiced, notices of old colonists never specially or continuously connected with Christchurch or its suburbs are, in some instances, brought into this section, which includes, also, names of men who have been connected with the public service.