THE POLYNESIAN SOCIETY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 228, 1 February 1911, Page 3

THE POLYNESIAN SOCIETY

I EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. [ The animal meeting of the Polynesian I Society was held in the Town Hall last evening, when Mr. S. Percy-Smith (president) occupied the chair, and there were nine members present. The eighteenth annual report of the society stated that no noticeable feature had marked the proceedings of the past year. The society had continued to accumulate documents relating to the Polynesian race, many of which have ap- j peared in the quarterly journal, but still I more remains on hand for publication I as occasion, offers. The journal appeared punctually shortly after the expiry ol each quarter, the number of pages in the year's volume amounting to 235, whilst there were more illustrations than usual. In this connection a word of praise was given to Mr. Thos. Avery, the society's publisher, for the care with which the papers were printed. The ''History and Traditions of the Taranaki Coast," the longest paper the society has printed, was brought to an end in the September journal, and is now ready to issue in book form as the first volume of tin, society's memoirs. It contains over 560 pages, with numerous illustrations and maps.

During the year the first four volumes of the journal have been reprinted by Mr. K. Hiersemann, of Leipzig, as they were out of print. A few numbers are now available for those who wish to have them. The late Mr. A. ShandV papers on "Moriori History and Tradition" have also been brought to an end and will shortly be issued. The Government has consented to reprint those portions of the papers which were destroyed by fire a few years ago. The memoir fund now stands at £I6G 4s Bd. The library is increasing, and is being made more use of since Mr. W. W. Smith undertook the duties of librarian. During the year the society lias acquired by gift from Mr. Percy Grainger several records for the phonograph of Earatongan songs.

The deaths of several members during the year are recorded, viz., Professor H. H. Gilioii, of Florence; Dr. T. M. Hoeken, •F.L.S.; Mr. F. L. Mitchell, of Mudgee, New South Wales: the Rev. J. E. Newell, of Samoa; and Mr. Alex. Shand, of Chatham Islands.

Eight members were struck off the roll owing to the non-payment of membership fees, and the roil on December 31 was as follows: Patron 1; honorary members 15; ordinary members 177; total 200. These figures show an increase of nine over the previous year.

There is a credit balance in hand after paying for the reproduction of the first four volumes out of current revenue.

The balance-sheet showed receipts as follows: Balance from last year, £8 2s; Government grant on account of Maori dictionary. £24 10s; members' subscriptions, .€l7O 10s 3d; total. £209 2s 3d. Expenditure: To publishing journals, £l3O 10s; R. H. Kiersemann for 50 copies each of volumes I and 11, £29 fls 3d; Moriori dictionary, 124 10s; sundries, £lO 10s 4(1; balance at bank, £8 15s Od; total, £209 2s 3d.

The motion for the adoption of the report and balance-sheet was carried, on the motion of Messrs, R, P, Hughes and J. B. Roy, I ' ' '■ _ OFFICE-BEARERS. Mr. S. Percy-Smith was unanimously re-elected president. The retiring members of the council, Messrs. W. L. NewJuan and F. P. Corkill, were also re-elect-ed. Mr. E. Tregeiir was elected an honorary member, and Mr. \Y. D. Webster, honorary auditor. The rules were amended to read: •'Shall consist of one or more patrons."