LONG RESEARCH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20026, 26 August 1939, Page 4

LONG RESEARCH

HISTORICAL REVIEW CENTENNIAL BOOK ISSUE SPACE ALLOCATIONS REPORTS ON SECTIONS One problem faced by the historical committee of the East Coast Centennial Council, in preparing for the publication of an historical review of the district, is to fix the scope of the work so that, without making the review too massive for popular appreciation, sufficient space will be available for the major events of Gisborne’s past.

It was pointed out at a meeting of the committee, held last evening, that the material in the hands of those preparing different sections of the review might well provide the basis for a series of books, none without considerable interest. To compress the most valuable of this material into a publication of approximately. 100,000 words will entail a careful selection by the sponsors of the respective sections.

Reports were received from different members of the committee on the .progress made since the last meeting, held in July, and satisfaction was expressed concerning the likelihood that within a fortnight or three weeks the major portion of certain of fhe main sections should be completed in the first draft. Balance Between Main Sections It was agreed that in order 'to achieve a balance in the publication, as between one historical period and another, each of the research students should make an initial draft of his work for submission to the committee, which would endeavour to agree upon the space allocations. ISome of the headings under which the principal research work has been done to date are Maori traditions of pre-pakeha and post-pakeha days; Cook’s visits 'to the East Coast, with a review of earlier records of exploration in the Pacific; the infiltration of Europeans cn the Coast and in Poverty Bay; the early troubles between Maori and European, leading to the Hauh.au War of 18G5 and the Poverty Bay Massacre in '1868; missionary efforts and the developments of Christian influence from the earliest days; local government in ‘its various manifestations; and the development of the sheepfarming industry. There are many other subjects which have not yet (been embarked upon, but the committee is fortunate in having secured valuable co-operation in some quarters, and hopes to make the historical (publication a thoroughly comprehensive one. At an early date a representative of the research body will visit the East Coast to secure material only to be had from oldesta'blished sources there.

In addition to preparing material for its own review, the committee, through Mr. J. A. Mackay. its chairman, has assisted the national historical committee in compiling and checking information required for the works which will be 'published as State contributions to the centennial celebrations of the Dominion.