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Foreword

We have pleasure in publishing this, the thirty-fourth Journal of the Society, with ten of its twelve articles by society members and at least two more promised for the next.

Our special thanks go to the contributors and to the production team of editor, Dawn Smith, and publishing typist, Noelene Ford. The Society's many volunteers have our sincere appreciation but none more than these two.

The Journal has long provided a useful means of publishing short articles relating to the history of the north of the South Island and thus fulfils an important role in increasing knowledge and appreciation of this extraordinarily diverse and fascinating history, valuable like our wonderful natural environment.

This Journal, No.4 of Vol.6, covers a range of topics but with a special focus on early motoring and includes two notable milestones of this – the first car to reach Lake Rotoiti from Nelson, and an epic six-day trip, the first by car from Nelson to Christchurch. As well, we have from Mike Johnston two typically perceptive reviews of members' books: Jack Boyer's 'There's Gold in Rocky', and Grahame Anderson's show stopper, 'The Merchant of the Zeehaen'.

Probably many of us have felt the need to make records of the past for such will help later generations to understand who we were, but more importantly who they are. If you make an oral or written history why not provide a copy for publication or at least for the Society's museum archives? We'd be pleased to hear from you.