THE MAORIS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 32, 2 November 1923, Page 8

THE MAORIS

ETHNOLOGICAL BOARD RESOLUTIONS OF FIRST MEETING GENEROSITY OF TRIBES The Board of Maori Ethnological Research held its first meeting at Parliament Buildings, Wellington, on Tuesday. There were present Judge R. N. Jones (deputy chairman). Hon. A. 1Ngata, Mr. J. Hislop, Mr. Elsdon Best Archdeacon H. W. Williams. Di. P. H. Buck, and Mr. H. D. Skinner. Judge Jones, as deputy chairman, took the chair. In the absence, and on behalf of the Native Minister, who w-as away on important public business, in the South Island j ho briefly welcomed the members of the board, and stated that he was sure that the work to be done by the board at this and future meetings would be for the benefit of the Maoris and their descendants, and that the publication of such matters would add greatly to the sum of human knowledge. Judge Jones., then read the appointment of members. The regulations and sample of certificate of membership were laid on the table. It was resolved, on the motion ot Judge Jones, seconded by the Hon. A. T. Ngata, that Mr. H. R. H. Balneavis be the secretary of the board. A telegram of good wishes to the board from Taiporutu te Mapu was received. It was resolved that a letter from Mr. J- Fleetwood, re Maori chants, poi dances etc., be acwith thanks, and he be encouraged in his eff<!#ls by assuring him

that were others to pursue such a subject in like manner, many useful collections might be got together. It was decided that the sum of £75 be paid towards the cost of printing Archdeacon Williams’s ’ “Maori Bibliography.” It was resolved, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Ngata, that a subsidy of £5O be paid to the ‘ Toa Takitini” for publishing, ethnological matter on behalf of the board in the columns of that paper every month for twelve months, such amount to be paid quarterly. It was decided, on the motion of Judge Jones that the Polynesian Society be subsidised to the extent gf £lOO. up to April 1. 1924, and of £3OO thereafter for one year, to assist in the publication of its journal. It was resolved, on the motion of Archdeacon Williams, that the hoard offer to undertake for the,. Polynesian Society the publication of Mr. Elsdon Best’s memoir. “The Maori.” and that the proceeds of the sale of the publication ba the property of the Polynesian Society for its memoir fund. It was proposed by Judge Jones and seconded by Mr. Hislop: “ That the board ask the Hon. Mr. Ngata to express to the Ngati-Porou tribe the thanks of the board for their proposed contribution of £250 towards'The’ cost of publishing Mr. Best’s ‘The Maori, and to request that such amount be paid to the board’s account.” This wae carried. , - It was decided, on the motion oi Archdeacon Williams: “That Mr. H. D. Skinner be asked to forward Mr. H. Beattje’s memoir to Mr. Best, and if found suitable, that publication of same should be approved as a memoir of the Polynesian Society.” It was resolved that the board communicate with the Minister in charge of the Cook Islands Administration, and ascertain what has been done in the direction of publishing Mr. Savage’s Barotongan dictionary. The board conveyed to Boa Manunui its sympathy with her and other members of the family, on the death of her father, Te Whatahoro, well known to students of Maori lore as the

The board expressed its appreciation nt the news that the Hon. R. G. Bollard had agreed to move the Maori relics from the present museum buildings to a fire-proof building. It was resolved: ’’That it bo a representation to the Government that all publication of matter connected with the Maori .race, especially museum bulletins. be entrusted to the board, and that Parliamentary grants be made to the board for the purpose.” It was decided that, subject .to the approval of the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs, the publication of “Museum Bulletin No. 7” (Maori Canoes) be undertaken by the board. The board expressed its appreciation of the annual expeditions sent put by the Minister of Internal Affairs for field work in connection with Maori ethnology, which is of inestimable value in research work and should be continued. It was resolved on the motion of Archdeacon Williams, seconded by Mr. Skinner: “That a catalogue of the Maori and Polynesian works in the Turnbull and Dominion Museum libraries should he prepared and printed, and that it be a recommendation to the Hon. the Minister of Internal Affairs that this be done.”