HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 54, Issue 3895, 28 April 1937, Page 11

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

SECOND ANNUAL MEETING. A YEAR OF PROGRESS. The second annual meeting of the Te Awamutu Historical Society was held in the Society’s room, Gifford’s Buildings, on Tuesday evening, when the president (Mr J. Oliphant) occupied the chair. Also present were Mesdames H. Mandeno and G. Hall, Misses O. Lloyd, E. Hall, E. Brewer and E. B. Draper, Dr J. B. Roberton, and Messrs G. Gifford (hen. curator), W. Swain. Deed and A. A. Reese. The annual report as follows was read and adopted:— “I have pleasure in presenting my report on the work for the year of the Te Awamutu Historical Society. In spite of our small active membership the interest in the Society’s activities has been well sustained. We have made as our chief objectives for the year the building up of and adding to our museum of curios and the Society is indebted to the voluntary donors of Maori stone implements, carvings and interesting documents and articles connected with the early / Settlement of this district. The numI ber received by the Society during the year have enabled us to more than double the number of exhibits. “I would stress the need for continued effort on the part of members r and well wishers to enable the Society to continuously add to the very valuable beginning which we have made. Nothing could be cf greater interest to the residents of this district and to visitors than a museum of historical exhibits illustrative of the pre-pakeha- native life of the lower Waikato and the days of early colonisation. Oui’ especial thanks are tendered to all those doners of the many articles of historical interest. The fact that the Society’s museum is housed in brick shop premises where the risk of destruction by fire is reduced to a minimum should give confidence to intending donors. We are pleased to acknowledge gifts or accept on loan, returnable cn demand, any exhibit of historical interest, and the system of recording and ticketing adopted by our curator, Mr Gavin Gifford, obviates any confusion or error.

“The colossal task of historical investigation, particularly in the field, of Maori occupation of this district from the Tainui ancestors down to the time of the appearance of the first pakeha arrivals in the Waikato has been initiated and with the help of our Maori members this work we hope will be carefully and methodically pursued. It is work which really requires the appointment of a special sub-committee.

“The investigation of the early history of several of the more prominent pahs in this neighbourhood has been undertaken and the history of Kawa Whakapirimata Mangatoatoa and Matakitaki pahs and the earth works cn Kakepuku Mountain have been recorded, in each case the localities being visited and explored by members. The field days have proved very popular outings for the Society and it is hoped to arrange further excursions during the coming year. Owing to generous support of friends of our Society a well-bound book of proceedings has been acquired and the task of collating and recording the result of our investigations is in hand. I would recommend to our incoming executive .the value of prosecuting this branch of the Society's work and enlisting the help of more members of the Native race in this connection. Here is the opportunity for the natives themselves to permanently record the history c.f their tribal life in the lower Waikato from the days of their Tainui ancestry. “Throughout last winter lectures and papers were given by members of the Society and as open discussion of such occasions is encouraged amongst members the general result has been both instructive and entertaining. Our committee has recommended to the incoming executive that a definite lecture programme for the coming winter be arranged and, if possible, that at least one speaker from the Auckland Historical Society be asked to visit us.

“Our Society was pleased to be instrumental in reinstating the recently damaged Orakau Monument. It is hoped in the neai- future to be able t suitably mark other spots of historical interest in our district. As this work is at the moment beyond the finances of the Society it will be necessary to consider ways and means fothe establishment of a special fund for this work. The work being undertaken by our Society has value far beyond the confines of-our town an l district and we look confidently for that support which should be readily forthcoming to enable the Society to pursue its activities and attain that measure of success for which our members are so ardently working. “In closing I desire especially to thank the outgoing officials and the members of special sub-committees for their splendid co-operation and as sistance throughout the past year. The treasurer reported a credit balance of £1 18s Cd.

Mass E. B. Draper and Messrs F. Bertram and F. Petchell were elected members of the Society. The election of officers resulted:— Patron, Mr James Cowan, Wellington (re-elected); president, Mr Jas. Oliphant (re-elected): vice-presidents, Dr L. S. Rogers and Mr G. Gifford; secretary and treasurer, Mr H. A. Swarbrick; curator, Mr G. Gifford, (re-elected). These officers, with members of the special sub-comittees. will be the general committee. ■Sub-committees were elected as follows: Mapping.—Messrs D. Trevarthen. E. T. Short, Raureti te Huia and T. Deed. Book research.—Dr Roberton and Misses Lloyd, E. Hall and E. Brewer. Dr Roberton offered to assist in any way with the photographing of relics and dther articles in the custody of the Society. It -was decided not to set up a Curio Committee this year, but all members were asked to make every endeavour to obtain curios associated jvith Te Awamutu and district. The Society acknowledged with thanks the custody of a number of

with a stone; and from Mr C. W. Rickit, several articles of historical interest.

lit was suggested that non-members might be appealed to to oommunicate with the Society in the case of any finds made in the district, so that these articles may be recorded, notwithstanding that the finders desired to retain possession.

Mr Oliphant read an address on “Early Colonisation in New Zealand,” from Tasman’s visit in 1642 until the forties of last century. Information is to be sought as to the activities of the New Zealand Historical Society, formed last year. The meeting expressed a desire that Mr Geo. Graham, the prominent Maori authority, in Auckland, should be invited to address the Society on a date suitable during the coming winter, and Mr Graham is to be communicated with. Arrangements were made for winter evening addresses by five members. who will take as their subjects matters of interest historically. Mr Deed reported that the RoverScouts desired to concentrate their energies cn the Mangatoatoa pa, an ancient fortification along the Puniu reached via Frontier Road. Mr Geo. Rigg, of Kihikihi, wrote giving a list (necessarily incomplete) of military men resident at Kihikihi in the early days. The names given comprised members of the Imperial ranks, Forest Rangers, and Militia. The list comprised: Imperial Major. Minnet, Dineen, Farrell, Jennings, Kennedy, Kalaugher, Lander, Molloy, Murray. Naylor and Tristram, members df the infantry, cavalry and artillery. Rangers: W. Bond, E. Temple, W. Thomson /md H. Hendry. Militia.—W. Burton, F. Garden, -G. Maunder. Then there were W. H. Grace, who served in the Tauranga