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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.