HISTORICAL RESEARCH

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 268, 1 August 1918, Page 3

HISTORICAL RESEARCH

INTERESTING DISCUSSION SECTION OF PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY A meeting was held last evening in Hie Musoum, convened by Dr. Thomson, Director ot the Dominion Museum, to twin nn historical association, Dr Thornson presided,and road apologies from a "umber of those who ,we°umiMo to attend. ? Ir ' J -„C. Andei'scn was appointed secretary of the meeting. ■Dr. Thomson said that the objects of tneimeetiiiff were well known to all presont, and the largo attendance was an assurance to him that 'tlu time had arrived tor the formation of an historical society. Ho directed attention to the amount of research work that was lioiug undertaken in other countries, and he stated that quite a. number of books had been already received in the Museum Library. He was not quite snro whether it was advisable to form an "dependent society or to form a section of the Wellington Philosophical Society. Mr. Justice Chapman said lie was very much in' fnvour of an independent society rather than a section of tho Philosophical Society. Ho pointed out that tliero were local associations in various parts of the country, and if there were a society in Wellington it would give these societies an opportunity of affiliating and working harmoniously with tho Wellington association. A branch of tho Philosophical Society would not fulfil tho work that appeared to lie increasing throughout tho Domiuioii. Jlr. Martin Chapman moved that tho meeting form an historical association of Now Zealand, and in doing to said ho thought it would he a mistake to make the association a branch of the Wellington Philosophical Society. He contended that they were every day losing some historical fads regnrding New Zealand through old settlors passing away, men who ware rich >'n their recollections of tho early' days of Wellington and tho district. There 'were still -non ar>d- wo- ' men alive who could give little bits of interesting information, and who would be glad lo give them to someone who would take the trouble to ask' for them. Those people were not literary persons, and therefore their recollections would have to 1m put into sh-\ie. Ho had no doubt that in many hom-.'s there were letters and documents, and oven printed matter, that was of the utmost interest. As a lawyer ho had known how difficult _it had been to get' dates of certain events, as, for instance, the date of tho birth or tho death of a cliief, and some old settlor had come along with a diary. Ho referred to the old whalers' logs, and thought that these would 'be very difficult to get, but they would be of great interest if they could be secured, and they would bo of inestimable value from an historical point of view. Mir. William Barton, of-Featherston, seconded (he motion, and said (hat ho knew of several whalers' logs in the district that could be obtained, including that of the late W. B. Rhodes. Mr. John Smith, a member of the Early Settlers and Historical Association, said that his association, had been in existence for about six years, but. its activities had ibeen interrupted by the-war. Tho association had been (resuscitated during tho last twelve months, and it had over 200 members. The association had got together a valuable collection of historical material, and had been, promised a great deal more. A branch of the association had been formed recently in the Wairairapa, and it was hoped to get material respecting the early history of that district. He desired to know what was the object of having a second association. Mr. W. B. Edwards, secretary of the Early Settlers and Historical Association, gave particulars of the objects of his association and what had beon done in respect to the issue of a journal. Dr. Knight said the records of the' Early Settlers Association were just what nn historical association should not pub- | lish. The articles were not historical, 'but only partly so, and were incomplete. He referred to Dr. M'Nab's books as being models of historical works, and he thought that an association should aim at historical accuracy and completeness. He thought the Early Settlers t'ssocialion was doing good work, but it- appeared not to have tho financial reeources to carry out- tho work or to issue '■ an acceptable publication. Ho had in his ' possession a very interesting document '• referring to the voyage of Sir George Grey to take up his first Governorship in ' Australia. The document was written by ; the speaker's grandfather, who was the surgeon on the vessel. Dr. Knight con- ' eluded by moving: "That this meeting . form an historical and literary section of - the Philosophical Society." He thought ' that the time was not ripo for Ihe forma? \ tion of ah independent society. l Ho * thought it would be advantageous to have ' tho association come under tho wings of ! the Philosophical Society. 1 The amendment was seconded by Dr. < Anderson and supported by Ma-. C. Wil- s son. • ,' j Dr; Thomson stated that "in calling the * meeting he contemplated the formation t of what might be termed a learned so- ' ciety, where papers could be read by 1 those engaged in historical research, and < criticised by those working en the same f lines, and not a society for the mere col- 1 lection of historical data. Ho thought s it advisable to form an historical section of the Philosophical Society, which would f commit them to nothing, but if they t formed an independent society they I might not be strong enough to carry on, 'J and if they failed it would throw them n bwk for many years. Dr. Thomson then t referred to the historical work that was g now being undertaken by several gentle- r men. h On the amendment, being put to the t meeting it was carried. a Dr. Thomson stated that the mooting s could do nothing further, as the Philoso- a phical Society must' eventually forni the t section; and if they would leave it to t him lie would see that a motion on the a subject was brought before tho society, s