CLIPPINGS OF HISTORY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 90, 20 November 1939, Page 3

CLIPPINGS OF HISTORY

COMPILATION BY CENTENNIAL BRANCH It is mentioned in New Zealand Centennial News that one of the many functions of the Centennial Branch of the Department of Internal Affairs is the compilation of historic records from newspapers and other publications of New Zealand. Thus will be saved much material which will be worthy of a place in the nation's archives when the Centennial event which has prompted its preparation has long passed.

Many an almost forgotten yet important fact relating to a portion of the Dominion's history has been retold by an old identity or pinoeer, and recorded to form part of a valuable record for posterity.

It is from sucli reminiscences and chronicles of pioneers, some humorous, some tragic, that much of the material now in the course of being recorded is derived. A forgotten tale of the Otago goldfields or of the West Coast, recalled by a veteran of the golden days, is taking on a new significance. The Far North, rich in historical associations, is providing a wealth of materia!. Early activi

ties in connection with rural development and other occupations aie being set down to form valuable history. The Maoris will have a definite place in the records of New Zealand's first hundred years. Many tales of adventures during the Maori wars are being brought to light lrom private sources and from the now almost-dimmed memories of pioneers avlio were themselves participants, or to whom history has been handed down bv word of mouth.

Practically every newspaper and periodical in the Dominion is publishing something of historical importance derived cither from pioneers of the district conccrned or from research into early history.

Joulrnalists and professional writers of the Dominion arc devoting much of their time to research into New Zealand history, and their efforts are appearing in some cases m serial form. Whether the matter is from the pen of the professional or the amateur writer, it is all contributing to a necessary complete history of the Dominion.

The Centennial Branch has a news-paper-clipping bureau, and the extracts frcm newspapers, now running into thousands of references, are being filed in their appropriate categories prior to being lodged in a

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