250 contributors to big N.Z. history

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32702, 3 September 1971, Page 14

250 contributors to big N.Z. history

When a 105-volume social history of New Zealand was completed in about 19 months, up to 250 people throughout New Zealand would have contributed to its one millicm and a quarter words, the editor-in-chief of the project, Mr R. Knox, said in Christchurch yesterday.

Mr Knox, who was for seven years the chief reporter of the “Listener,” has been working on the weekly encyclopaedic history, “New Zealand’s His t o r y—the Making of a Nation,” since February. Already 24 issues were complete and 140 writers—many of them experts in aspects of New Zealand history—had been commissioned, he said. The most difficult task so far had been planning the publication and setting its theme, Mr Knox said. The work concentrated on people in the country’s history rather than simply on events, and the first 40 issues would cover New Zealand history up to.the 1870 s.

Although prepared and published in New Zealand, the work was printed in Australia, and copy was sent to Australia each week.. Special arrangements had been made : with the Customs Department I to ensure the bags of copy ’ from New Zealand, and the i bags of proofs which were i sent back, entered and left the country with the least possible delay. A man with a great interest in New Zealand history, Mr Knox said he derived considerable enjoyment and interest from the preparation of the new work, evn though he had been

working up to 60 hourS ' a week on ft.

“But I do not think I would take on a similar task again,” he said.