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Cars have changed, roads have changed and many facets of motoring today have changed from what they were in the early days of New Zealand motoring. Changes, too, have occurred in the services being rendered motorists, and in this respect the Nelson Automobile Association has a proud record. This year the association is celebrating its diamond jubilee. The association had its beginnings in 1904 when the Nelson Motor Club was formed. This organisation remained until 1919 when the association was incorporated with a membership of 81. Today the membership stands at 8361. To mark the jubilee we have devoted five pages of pictures to the work done then and now by the association.

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Mr M. A. Jenny, a foundation member of the club in 1904.

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Returned soldiers were taken for motor outings by the club in 1916

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Another foundation member of the club and later president of the association for 20 years was Dr S. A. Gibbs.

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Mr W. G. Vining and family (the small boy in front is better known today as Mr P. M. Vining).

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The caption to this pic in a 1906 magazine was "a roadside halt on the Nelson-Blenheim road".

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The first journey by car to Top-house was made about 1910 by Mr and Mrs C. H. Coote. The picture tells the story.

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The association's first patrol officer, Mr "Mac" McLaren, who retired recently from this position. The appointment was made in 1937.

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Present secretary, Keith Askew, with a rawhide tyre (from the car of Dr Gibbs on the previous page). Such over-tyres were used to eke out the wear on the then very poor motor tyres.

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Signposting is one of the biggest undertakings of the association today, and it keeps Mr Alec Stirling very busy.

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Patrol officers Dennis King and Ron James (under the car) check over a used car for a potential member-buyer.

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Signs must be kept in good order and Ron gives this post a freshen-up on the Whangamoa Saddle.

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Picnic areas controlled by the association are provided with tables made by the officers. Here a new one is about to leave for a picnic spot.

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Mrs Elizabeth Ruston is a behind-the-scenes office worker.

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The information desk is seldom empty. Here Anne Geary hands to a member motoring information.