Progress of the NeW Zealand Literary and Historical Association.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume 01, Issue 9, 1 June 1900, Page 76

Progress of the NeW Zealand Literary and Historical Association.

By the Registrar

THIS Association has entered on the second year of its existence. Although its headquarters are in Auckland, it has on its roll of membership men and ■women of literary tastes in all parts of New Zealand. In Auckland pleasant literary evenings are held throughout the winter 'months, when members meet aud read and

discuss papers on subjects of interest, which include the various phases of Maori and Pioneer History. It was anticipated that members in other centres would form branches, and hold similar gatherings, and no doubt this will shortly be done. It only requires a few energetic members to pnt their shoulders to the wheel, as they did in the

Northern City, and the thing would be done. Those desirous of bringing aboutthis desirable consummation cau, by applying to me, l'eceivo any information they require, as well as a supply of circulars. These meetings, although by no means the primary object of the Association, assist materially in popularising it by bringing together people of similar tastes and affinities.

In my report at the Annual Meeting held lately, it was my pleasant duty to refer to the good work done by the Criticising Committee in giving advice and criticism to young writers. It has been asserted that the Association may do harm by inducing young people to write who might be occupying their time much more remuneratively in other pursuits. This the Association distinctly does not do. The advice tendered to young writers has, in no case, been such as would induce them to give up remunerative occupations, and take to their pens for a livelihood. It has rather tended to prevent literary aspirants from sendiug crude unpolished work to publishers,and thus insuring for themselves certain disappointment if not published, or the lively shame and after annoyance of seeing their prematurely-born prodigies in unsold piles of print, to say nothing 1 of pecuniary loss, if they have elected to publish at their own expense. It would be hard indeed if every one was to be debarred from the chance of receiving valuable assistance and advice in a pursuit which, when used as a pastime, gives much pleasure if not overmuch pecuniary profit, for fear the few might use it detrimentally.

The Association commences its second year with a small balance on the right side of the ledger, and with the assistance and co-operation of its members, hopes to do good work in the future. The past year's expenditure necessarily -went, in a great measure, towards making the Association known, and getting a membership together fairly representative of the best literary men and women in New Zealand. The present year should show further developments, amongst which will be the establishment of

a good literary agoncy in London to which the work of members, judged suitable for publication, can be sent with the certainty that it will, at all events, bo offered to the most suitable publishers for its particular class, and if not approved of by one (inn, bo submitted to others without the vexatious delays and frequent losses of MSS entailed by private individuals sending them Imphazard to any publisher they or their friends may happen to select. Mr. 11. J. I). Mahoti, the new President, in his opening remarks instanced another most important development when he enlarged on the benefits which should accrue from the historical aims of th 0 Association during the present year. Many items of ancient Pioneer and Maori History bid fair to be forgotten and lost if allowed to remain any longer unrecorded, as the veterans who bore the brunt of tho battle of early colonization, as well as the old chiefs and tohuugas, are fast disappearing from amongst us. Tho Association hus here a wide field for operation, and this year should show a good commencement in this direction. Members living at a distance can do good service by forwarding to tho Association any items of old Maori history that they may possess, which have not previously been published. These will be read at the meetings of the Association, and carefully preserved for publication if deemed suitable by tho Council.

The Historical Committee oft ho Association has already classified and compiled a list of works treating on Maori history, which will be useful for future reference.

At the Aunual Meeting held recently the following ladies and gentlemen wero elected to form the Council for the present year : President, Mr. H. J. D. Mahori, 8.A. ; VieoPresidents, Rev. J. K. Davis, M.A., Very Rev. Dr. Egan, 0.5.8., Messrs. F. G. Ewingtou, J. Hight, M.A., E. A. Mackechnio, F. Rollett, Mrs. Leo. Myers and Mrs. Boult; members, Rev. Gray Dixon, M.A., Messrs. 0, H. Keid and M. H. Wynyard, Misses Clirystal and Moor; Registrar, Mr. Thos. Cottle; Auditor, Mr. Itoland St. Glair, F.N.Z.A. and A. A.