HISTORICAL RESEARCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21906, 15 September 1934, Page 15

HISTORICAL RESEARCH

AN ARDUOUS OCCUPATION LECTURE BY PROFESSOR The lately-formed Auckland Historical Society made its public debut last evening, when an inaugural lecture entitled, "Problems and Methods of Historical Research" was delivered in the University College Hall by Dr. J. Rutherford, professor of history at the college. The Rev. A. B. Chappell presided in the unavoidable absence of the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, and the audience numbered over 100. History, said Professor Rutherford, was not unscientific,, because records of past events were necessarily incomplete. The survival of historical material was affected by physical accidents, such as the burning of the great Alexandrian Library centuries ago, or of the Reichstag only the other day. Evidence was sometimes suppressed by Governments or individuals for reasons of expediency; error, ignorance and prejudice were also encountered. The evidence was never complete and historical reconstruction could never be wholly accurate. Nevertheless, history was able to state the known facts and probabilities, and the historian was justified in attempting to interpret the facts, to put together little bits, to reconstruct and to establish cause and effect. In this way the march of human progress could be followed and the ideas behind the mam events revealed. . * History was both a science and an art—a science in the collecting and sifting of evidence and in the synthesis it made from the material, an art as well. Speaking of historical research in New Zealand, Professor Rutherford said lie was impressed with the fact that the important material was distributed 111 all the four centres and at least halt ot it was in the records of the Colonial Office in London. He thought that the new historical society could most usefullv devote itself to encouraging a wider interest in New Zealand history as a whole, to carrying out research into purely local history, and to discovering, collecting and preserving private papers and records of historical value. , . ' , , ✓The chairman remarked that provision was made in the society s constitution for honorary corresponding members. There was every prospect that such members would be secured "i London and that thev would be able to assist in investigations when necessary. A vote of thanks to the lecturer was carried on the motion of Mr <T. \V. Shaw, seconded by Mr. A. E. Mulgan.