Part 4 of How Cars Changed Our World.

                            Life Before Cars.
Before William Mclean brought his two cars into the country, life was very different for New Zealanders. In early times, Maori got around by waka or on foot. Most people lived close to lakes, rivers or the sea. It was usually faster and easier to travel across water than to struggle through the thick bushes and over the steep hills. When Pakeha arrived in New Zealand, they brought animals to carry thing. Bullocks could haul heavy loads on sleds, and wheeled wagons and horses could carry people. This allowed people to travel further and faster. They could now keep in touch and find out what was happening around the country more easily. In the 1850s, horse-drawn coach services began. They carried people, parcels, newspapers, and letters. Most people worked closer to home in the days before the motor car. Local communities usually had their own shops, doctor, police, post office, and school. There were no buses or cars to carry children between home and school - children walked, cycled, or rode the family horse. In the early 1900s, there was about one horse fore every three people in New Zealand.                              Square Palmerston N.425.