ETHNOLGOICAL BOARD.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16274, 5 November 1923, Page 9

ETHNOLGOICAL BOARD.

RESOLUTIONS OF FIRST MEETING.

GENEROSITY OF TRIBES

The Board of Maori Ethnological Research held its first meeting at Parliament Buildings. Wellington, last week. There were present, Judge R. N. Jones (deputy chairman), Hon. A. T. Ngata, Mr. J. Hislop, Mr. Elsdon Best. Archdeacon H, W. Williams, Dr. 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 was away on important public business in the South Island, he briefly welcomed the members of the board, and stated that ho was sure that tho work to be done by tho board at this and future meetings would lb© for ths 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 wad the appointment of members. The regulations and sample of certificate of membership were laid on tho table. It was resolved, on the motion of Judge Jones, seconded by tho Hon. A. T. Ngata, that Mr. 11. R. If. Balncavis be the secretary of the board.

' A telegram of good wished to the board from Taiporutu te Mapu was received. It was resolved that a letter from Mr. J. Fleetwood, re Maori chants, jioi dances, etc., be acknowledged with thanks, and he be encouraged in his efforts by assuring him that werei 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 William's, "Maori Bibliography. It was resolved, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Ngata, that a subsidy of £SO 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 paiil quarterly. It was decided, on the motion of Judge Jones, that the Polynesian Society be subsidised to the extent of £IOO up up to April 1, 1924, and of £3OO thereafter for one year, to assist iu tho publication of its journal. It was resolved, on the motion of Archdeacon Williams, that the board offer to undertake for the Polynesian Society tho publication of Mr. Elsdon Best's memoir, "The Maori," and that the proceeds of tho sale of the publication be the property of the Polynesian Society for its memoir fund.

It was proposed by Judge Jones and seconded by Mr. Hislop : "That tiie board ask the Hon. Mr. Ngata to express to tho Ngati-Porou tribe the thanks of the board for their proposed contribution of £250 towards the cost of publishing Mr. Best's 'Tho Maori,' and to request that such amount be paid to the board's account." This was carried. It was decided on the motion of Archdeacon Williams : "That Mr. 11. D-, Skinner be asked to forward Mr. IV. Beat tie'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 thai 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 Rarotongan dictionary. The board conveyed to Roa Mahuuui ifs 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 "Scribe."

The board expressed its appreciation at the news that tke Hon. R. G. Bollard had agreed to move the Maori relics from the present museum building to a tire-proof building. It was resolved : "That it be 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. tho purpose." k 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 boaild expressed its appreciation of the annual expeditions sprit out 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. Skin nor: "That a. eataloguo of the Maori and Polynesian works in the Turnbull and Dominion Museum libraries should be prepared and printed, and that it be a recommendation to the Hon. tho Minister of Internal Affairs that this be done."