Foreword

This issue completes the first volume of the journal of the Nelson and Marlborough Historical Societies. It also marks the change over in editors from Mrs Margaret Brown to Miss Dawn Smith. Whilst there has been some discussion as to whether to change the journal format no firm proposals have been considered. In view of this it would appear that the next issue will be similiar to the present one.

There is a continuing interest in the history of the northern part of the South Island and an increasing amount of material could be published. Although the journal can cater for some of this material, particularly shorter articles, additional ways of getting our history published must be found. However, because of the considerable costs, either in author time and/or in printing and publishing, the financial support that historical societies such as ours can give is limited.

One major project the Nelson society is attempting to promote is the publication in 1992 of a history to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Nelson settlement and the development of the provinces of Nelson and Marlborough. Whilst it will probably not be possible for such a history to cover the whole 150 years, an account up the abolition of the provinces in 1876 is probably a feasible objective. These years included a number of notable events such as the development of the goldfields. Such history would also logically follow on from Ruth Allan's history of the early days of the Nelson settlement. If a history is to be published in 1992 a start will have to be made this year. It will require widespread support from the community.