MAORI PURPOSES FUND BOARD ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1945

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1945 Session I, G-11

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1945 NEW ZEALAND

MAORI PURPOSES FUND BOARD ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1945

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly 'pursuant to Section 14 of the Maori Purposes Fund Act, 1934-35

Meetings The statutory annual meeting of the Board was held on the 7th September, 1944. No other meetings were held during the year. Personnel of the Board It is with much regret that the Board records the death of one of its members, Mr. H. T. Ratana, M.P. Mr. Ratana had been a member since 1935 in his capacity as Member of Parliament for the Western Maori Electorate. His place on the Board will be taken by Mr. Matiu Ratana, M.P., to whom a cordial welcome is extended. Dr. Gilbert Archey was reappointed a member on the 26th July, 1944, for a further term of three years. Secretary During the year under review a change in the post of Secretary was brought about by Mr. C. W. Morrison's secondment to C.0.R.5.0., where the full-time nature of his duties prevented his giving that attention to the affairs of the Board which was required. Mr. Morrison held his post for a period of five years, and during that time took a keen interest in the affairs of the Board and carried out his duties with expedition and efficiency. Opportunity is now taken to record the Board's appreciation of Mr. Morrison's services. His place has been filled by Mr. J. M. McEwen, of the Native Department staff. Mr. McEwen brings with him a wide and intimate knowledge of the Maori people, their language, customs, history, traditions, genealogical relationships, and arts and crafts, as well as an extensive acquaintance with Maori administration and sympathy with the lawful aspirations of the members of the Maori race. Altogether he possesses qualifications which should prove most useful to the Board and make him an ideal choice for the position of Secretary. Operations Education.—The sum of £500 was again granted to the Education Department as a contribution towards the cost of Maori Free Place Scholarships. During the year 1944 scholarships were awarded to 260 students, comprising 214 at Maori secondary schools, 37 at State secondary schools, and 9 at University colleges. As in the previous three years, a further sum of £250 was made available to the Education Department to assist deserving students not eligible for State scholarships. From the fund twenty-one students benefited during the year, six of whom had received similar assistance in the previous year. Ethnology. —Owing to the limited income of the Board, one of its primary functions—the collection and preservation of Maori ethnological data and the promotion of cultural activities—has necessarily been restricted to a comparatively small scope. The annual grant of £300 was again made available to the Polynesian Society, Incorporated, to assist in the publication of what is now the only ethnological journal regularly published in New Zealand. This journal has been maintained at a very high standard since first produced, and the results of much valuable research in Maori and Polynesian ethnology have been placed on record.

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Board's Publications.—There is a steady demand for the books published by the Board, and the receipts for the year amounted to £145. Details are as follows : — Maori Artistry .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 100 copies. Nga Mahi a Nga Tupuna .. .. .. ~ ~ .. 68 ~ Maori String Figures .. .. .. .. ~ 59 Nga Moteatea—Part I .. ~ .. .. .. 56 „ Native Custom and Law .. .. .. .. .. 49 Nga Moteatea —Part II .. .. .. .. .. 37 " The Changing Maori .. . . .. . . .. 37 The Mystery of the Moa .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 „ Material Culture of the Cook Islands .. .. .. .. 13 ~ Total sales .. .. .. .. .. .. 434. Dr. P. H. Buck has reported that he has made considerable progress with the revision of " The Coming of the Maori," but that completion of the work may be postponed for a time owing to certain Pacific surveys which he has undertaken on behalf of the United States Government. Arts and Crafts. —Five grants were made during the year to assist in the erection of carved meeting-houses, the funds having been donated for the specific purposes by Maori Land Boards. Finance The following is a statement of receipts and payments for the year ended the 31st March, 1945 Receipts Payments £ £ Cash balance as at Ist April, 1944 .. .. 45,709 Administration expenses.. .. .. 232 Grant from Consolidated fund .. .. 375 Grants— £ Interest .. .. .. .. 1,365 Free Place Scolarships.. .. .. 500 Grants by Maori Land Boards for specific purposes 969 Special educational .. .. .. 250 Miscellaneous receipts (sales, &c.) .. .. 153 Polynesian Society .. .. .. 300 Meeting-houses, &c. .. .. .. 425 Miscellaneous .. .. .. 121 1,596 Purchase of books .. .. .. 3 Binding books .. .. .. .. 21 Annotation of Maori recordings for National Broadcasting Service .. .. .. 14 Cash balance with Native Trustee, 31st March, 1945 .. .. .. .. 46,705 £48,571 £48^571 Budget for year ending 31st March, 1946 Expenditure Income Administration expenses— £ £ £ Audit fee .. .. .. .. 5 Interest on funds with Native Trustee .. .. 1,300 Native Trustee's commission .. ..60 Grant from Consolidated Fund .. .. .. 375 Depreciation on assets .. .. .. 10 Profit on sale of publications .. .. .. 25 Freight .. .. ~ .. 2 Insurance .. .. .. .. 10 Printing and stationery.. .. 8 Rent, repairs, &c. .. .. .. 50 Salary .. .. ~ .. 35 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. 25 Sundry expenses .. .. 10 225 Grants (subject to separate approval of Board) — Education Department.. .. .. 750 Publishing .. .. .. ~ 500 1,250 Balance available for miscellaneous grants, &c. 225 £1.700 £1,700

Approximate Cost of Paper— Preparation not given; printing (570 copies), £3 10s.

Authority: E. Y. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l94s.

Price 3d.]

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