POLYNESIAN SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19221, 9 January 1926, Page 11

POLYNESIAN SOCIETY.

THE LORE OF THE PACIFIC./

FOUNDERS' HOPES REALISED.

LIBRARY IN WELLINGTON. [Bir TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Friday. The Polynesian Society was inaugurated in Wellington in 1892 by a few men who were deeply interested in the Maori people, the principal movers being Mr. S. Percy Smith, Colonel Gudgeon and Mr. E. Tregear. It was known that a considerable! amount of original data was available!, and a desire was expressed that such bo permanently recorded. Such was the birth of the society.

The contents of the 34 volumes of the society's journal show that the hopes of its founders havo been realised. The formation of the library has been brought about by means of contributions and exchanges, and the value of the collection naturally increases year by year. Much mors data would have been recorded had

funds permitted, but the income of the society has been small. Since tho formation of the Ethnological Board, of which the Prime Minister, Mr. Coales, is chairman, fortune has favoured the society, inasmuch as the board has, with great generosity, provided funds for tho purpose of enlarging the journal, printing the memoirs and for other purposess.

The preliminary classification of the books, manuscripts, maps, etc., will be completed in time for the annual meeting at the end of the month, but the preparation of a complete catalogue of the valuable historical works cannot be completed for some months to come. The chairman of the society is Sir Maui Pomare, Minister for Health and Minister in charge of the Cook Islands. The headquarters of the society having been removed from New Plymouth to Wellington, an office and room for the valuable books and manuscripts of its library have been secured in the Druids' Buildings, Woodward Street. The boxes of books are now being opened up, and the volumes arranged in the cases, shelves and strong room by the secretary, Mr. M. Crompton Smith. Among the rare books are dictionaries of the languages of the peoples of many islands in the Pacific, also the journals of the society from its commencement. The first six volumes are now out of print. The books include such works as "The Lore of the Wharewananga," a compendium of Maori esoteric knowledge. There has been a considerable demand for copies of this work from private people, as well as from universities and other institutions.