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Foreword

Considerable energy was put into the 2005 publication of our 50^th anniversary history of the Nelson Historical Society. Now, after a five-year break, it is with pleasure that I write this foreword for a further Nelson Historical Society Journal.

This year our members have responded to the call for historical articles and, with the addition of the 2006 Jenkins Memorial Lecture, we have seven articles.

As a new president who has recently returned home after a 15 year sojourn in Wellington, I can appreciate the value of the Journal to members who are living away from Nelson Province. Incidentally, 16 such members are on our membership records. The Journal is, of course, a tangible benefit to our membership as well as fulfilling our Society's constitutional objective to foster/record history of the northern part of the South Island.

The value of our past Journals has been recognised in a proposal by the Friends of Nelson Libraries group to microfilm them. Our committee has given its approval and permission is also being sought from the Marlborough Historical Society to include the combined issues with them. There will also be copyright issues to clarify. Once the Journals have been microfilmed it is proposed to then digitise them and make them available on a website, Top of the South Stories, which is being developed by the combined Tasman Nelson Libraries. This will make the Journals readily accessible to researchers a development from which we history lovers will all benefit.

We were all shocked this year at the sudden death, on Sunday 22 July 2007 of our Immediate Past President, Alvin Brett. Alvin was working as a caregiver that day when he died suddenly from a heart attack. He had done our Society proud in his term of office and had organised many memorable field trips. It was most tragic that he died at only 51 years, with still more to offer in future years. My lasting memory of him will be as a very warm and caring person who always strived to acknowledge each of our members. Our deepest sympathy was extended to his father and fellow member Gordon Brett and we dedicate this Journal to the Memory of Alvin.

Finally thank you to all article contributors, Dawn Smith for her editorial work and Noelene Ford for setting and layout. I hope you enjoy reading this issue and we look forward to members contributing future articles for the next Journal.