traffic in Courtenay Place, Wellington, late 1920s

With Pigeon Park, named for obvious reasons, in the foreground. The first thing a Wellingtonian will notice about this scene is the denuded Mt Victoria in the background, originally covered in native bush.  Today of course it is covered in exotic pine trees.

The next thing noticeable on inspection is the two low buildings where the truck is parked - these were removed to widen the corner and provide car parks.  One notes the Morris (vehicles) sign on the top of their one-time building down the street, today gone.  The King's Theatre on the right has also gone, as have other buildings, although this area wasn't as ravaged by the "knock it down and rebuild" frenzy of the 1980s as other parts of the city.

Last but not least is a ubiquitous tram car.  For much more, see the books Wellington: a Capital Century and Wellington Transport Memories.

1915 Cadillac 6-cylinder

As featured on an NZ stamp from 1972.

Ew with the Daylight Limited at Paekakariki, circa 1960

In the days of the good old Refreshment Rooms.  A very grimy English Electric multiple unit is on the right.  For more see the book Wellington Transport Memories (Chris Howell collection)

Washington DC - taxation without representation

One of the first things that people who visit the U.S. Capital, Washington DC, will notice is the message on vehicle license plates (number plates) stating "Taxation without representation".  These protest plates have been in circulation since November 2000 and note the fact that while the nearly 600,000 residents of DC get a say in the Federal presidential election, they have no vote in the U.S. House or the U.S. Senate.

it would be good if an NZ free-to-air TV channel could say this

Or at least truthfully claim it.  You can get better channels than the free-to-air offerings since the Government got rid of TVNZ 7, but unfortunately you need to subscribe to Sky TV for them and Sky isn't cheap.

In bookshop terms, TVNZ 7 was like the good independent catering for the thinking person while the others are like the chainstores catering for the lowest common denominator.

These advertising signs are to be seen above the trash receptacles on New York's MTA commuter lines.

Hyannis marina, Massachusetts

Unremarkable perhaps, except that this marina on Cape Cod is the closest to the Kennedy family summer houses, generally known as the Kennedy Compound and where President Kennedy liked to spend his summer vacations, including while President.  Baxter's (where the Baxter's Fish and Chips sign is) was until 1967 a fish supplier and where JFK used to buy fish. 

To the right out of sight is the terminal for ferries to Nantucket Island.  In the centre of the pic is the Patience, a tour boat built in 1982 as a replica of a vessel from 1911.

Makara idyll, Wellington

The small community of Makara southwest of Karori in Wellington has long been part of Wellington City but has always looked like this, except that today the road is a little wider and is sealed. Another photo considered for but not used in the book Wellington: a Capital century

Erfurt trams, Germany

from the horse tram era which began in 1894

Tatra type tram seen in DDR days.

the view looking the other way from the scene looking at the station above

Like most tram systems in the DDR, that of Erfurt - the capital of the Thüringen state with a population of about 200,000 - survived the trend of closure that was common in the west, and it remains important today.  The system is metre gauge, has 5 lines and is about 39.5 km in length.

Present trams in use are DUEWAG MGT6D (1994) and Siemens Combino (2000).  Although quite a few new buildings are seen in the centre-city, they don't detract from the overall historic feel.

First Day Cover from 1950 honoring railroad engineers

What in other countries are usually termed engine drivers - NZR always resisted the term engineer as to them this was someone who had passed exams in mechanics and dynamics. More information on Casey Jones (1863-1900) and engine 382, a Rogers-built 4-6-0 of the Illinois Central, here

former Boston Elevated Railway PCC Car

Seen at the bottom of Market Street, San Francisco. (Geoff Churchman)