HISTORICAL RECORDS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2773, 17 May 1916, Page 3

HISTORICAL RECORDS

COLLECTION OF MATERIAL

REPORT BY DR. THOMSON

A systematic and comprehensive effort for the collection of records connected with tho early historj of New Zealand is to be made, and a committee consisting of Dr. Thomson (director of the Dominion Museum) and Mr. C. W. Ewen, who (ire members of the Board of Science and Art, and tho Hon. Dr. M'Nab, Mr. T. L. Buick, and Mr. C. Wilson, has been set up to make arrangements for the collection of tho materials desired.

Dr. Thomson has submitted a report on th© subject, in iyikicli he says:— "Many papers now in possession of Government Departments have considerable historic value, and should be permanently deposited in the collection of historical records. An effort was started in 1909 to make a collection of archives, and the Director of the Museum was made responsible for their custody in cells in the Mount Cook (Alexandra) Barracks. The heads of Departments were notified that a limited amount of accommodation was available for storing safely important official books and documents. "It is possible that only a selection of the files of Government Departments are worthy of a permanent place in the proposed collection. That is a matter tor expert advice, and it is desirable that a committee should bo set up with, powers to investigate the records already stowed away in order to advise tho Government upon the matter, i "Besides the archives in possession of the Dominion Government, it is desirable to get copies made of those in the Records Office in London which! refer directly to New Zealand, with tho exception of thoso papers already printed in the 'Historical Records of New Zealand.' For this purpose, it would bo necessary to have an officer stationed in London for some time.

/'Tho early records of municipalities, harbour boards, and other local bodies, and of cbrurches, are also historical records. It is an open question whether such arc best transferred to a central collection or left in the care of the various bodies. The British practice is tho latter; the Belgian is to make a selection of them for tho central collection. Tho same committee mentioned above might adviso tho Government also on the matter.

"Included in historical material are letters, diaries, programmes of meetings tiud entertainments, bank and account books, old household accounts, manuscripts, memoranda, minutes and proceedings of societies of all kinds, tradesmen's advertisements, photographs, pictures and • engravings of people rind places, newspapers, pamphlets, posters, plans, maps—in short, any material that will help the historian of the future to obtain a clearer picture of the course of public events and the manner of private life of the times which he is studying. It is perhaps necessary to emphasise the valuo of obtaining material for roconstructiug the private and domestic life of people in different grades of society, for while the historical valuo of documents relating to public events is self-ovidont, the whole tendency of historical research serves to show that the documents of a private or domestic nature will bo equally valued by tho historian of the future.

"Material of tho above kind may be by making an appeal in (ho 'name of tibo Government to suitable persons, These will include early settler*, past Governors, Ministers of tho Crown, Judges, Bishops, military officers, heads of local bodies (including hnrbonr boards), and similar public men, both within and without tho Dominion, and to the relatives of deceased persons who have held such positions. Tho Government should givo a guarantee that donors may make conditions as to' the privacy of private papers for a limited number of. years, not exceeding, say, fifty years, by which means mucin valuablo material that might not otherwise bo donated could be obtained.

"The appeal may l>o mndo tUvouga the Press and by notifications in tho New Zealand Gazette,' "but should bo supplemented by a personal appeal to the classes of persons mentioned above,' i.e., a suitable circular letter signed l by tho Hon. Minister should be sent. Further, tho co-operation of the various Early Settlers' Associations should be sought, and surviving early settlers should bo encouraged to write down any reminiscences of their early experiences, no matter 'Iraw fragmentary. Finally, tho co-operation of committees should be invited in districts where information is likely to be obtained, such as the goldfields, and.particularly the districts affected by the Maori AVar."

The now committee i decided on Monday to make an appeal, by circular letter, for suitable material. Fending the deferred construction of a National Museum and National Library, the'.papers, Iwbks, and records will have fire-proof storage in f £o strong-room and basement of the Parliamentary Library and in the big brick building on Mount Cook.