POLYNESIAN SOCIETY

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12075, 28 February 1925, Page 11

POLYNESIAN SOCIETY

HEADQUARTERS TRANSFERRED. , NEW PLYMOUTH TO WELLINGTON. ROYAL PATRONAGE SOUGHT. The transfer of the headquarters of the Polynesian Society * from New Plymouth to Wellington, which /was effected at the annual meeting in January last, marks the beginning of a new stage in the history of this steadily growing New Zealand scientific body. The . society was founded in Wellington in January, 1892, by the lats Mr S. Pei ; ey Smith ana a few like-minded men deeply impressed by the urgent need for preserving all the traditions, myths and knowledge of the native races which were so rapidly changing under the influence of the new -European environment, and among which the older men and authorities on such matters had .nearly all passed away. In this work the society has been singularly , successful, beyond the hopes of its founders. The society is now among those recognised throughout the world—its membership includes the leaders and students in ethnology in every country.. ''Very many of the libraries of similar and'scientific institutions and qf universities in the Old World and America are on its list of exchanges, In 1900, on Mr S, Percy Smith's retire-: ment to New Plymouth to live,, the society's/ headquarters followed 4 him, and for twenty-two further years its journal and. activities were ; conducted there by! him. Since his death, in 1922, the conduct of these activities fell upon the New Plymouth members, until a new phase opened-up in the collaboration of the Maori Board of Research set up by the Government. • The substantial assistance resulting from this co-operation rendered it desirable that the society should rdtiyn to Wellington, .to-enable full advantage to be taken of the wider avenues of research now. becoming available. 4 The -president of the' society is Mr W. H. Sloinner, of New Plymouth, upon whose shoulders the mantle of Mr 8. Percy Smith's editorship and management fell at his death, and whose position is the recognition by his fellow members ofi the inestimable Services he rendered at that critical period. • . .The present'editors of the journal are Messrs J£luden Best, Hr Thomson, and J. C. Andersen; the local council are Bir Maui Pomaro, Messrs Elsdon Best, J. C, Andersen, H. R. H. Balneavis, H. A. Huggins, and M. Crompton-Smith (secroTho society joins hands with the Berenice P. Bishop Museum, of Honolulu, and the Samoan Society, of Apia, as well as with workers in all parts, of the Pacific. and the need for expedition . and thoroughness an- collecting.and recording the. older knowledge, tradition, and myth. .is felt .'by alj these, bodies to be .peculiarly pressing upon this generation in view of the new and powerful influences at work in the Pacific, which will shortly leave none of the old conditions untouched.,; As a help in its important work the society is seeking Koval patronage, with a view to attracting to its ranks all possible workers and opening up all sources of information and records which may not yet have been tapped- _ The society has published 83 volumes, of journal, and seven or-eight volumes of memoirs and records, many of the earliest of which are now eagerly sought for and command speculative prices. , The new quarters of the society will be established in the steel and concrete building now being completed .at the corner of Lambton quay and Woodward street by the "Druids Association, where its extensive technical’ library will nna a safe and accessible home.