By: Barry Thomson22nd Jan 2021 6:09PMThe lead car facing is without doubt an N Z Govt. Ministerial car. It is a Humber probably a Pullman, an extended chassis version of the new Snipe introduced in October of 1938.
The Government generally removed mascots from their cars not only for cleaning and safety reasons but to fit a tapped bracket to carry a screw-in pennant staff for the snobby occasions.

The first Labour Government purchased a number of Humber cars at that time to augment their ageing fleet for this and lesser duties necessitated by their great works programme. The lack of a number plate on the car and the Public Service Garage driver with white shirt and black tie topped off by a forage cap are a clear hint.

Perhaps it is the West Coast scrapper and Minister of Works Bob Semple himself riding shotgun, it would have been his day! Great comment about the Salt in the cement, must have employed a brewer from Harleys in Nelson. That was rust inducing stuff as well.