POLYNESIAN SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1919, Page 6

POLYNESIAN SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. - The annual meeting of the Polvnesian Society was held in the Hempton Hall, at the Museum buildinus on Wednesday afternoon. The president (Mr S. PercySmith) presided and there were also present: The Hon. T. Kelly, Messrs M. Fraser, W. D. Webster, P. J. 11. White, G. H. Bullard, R. H. Rockel, W. L. Newman, W. W. Smith and Captain Waller. The president read tho annual report of the council, which referred to the removal of headquarters to the Hempton Room, where the library and office was now installed, the additional accommodation (provided through the generosity of a New Plymouth lady) allowing the library to bo properly arranged. Arrangements had been made to open the library to the public on Monday and Wednesday afternoons and on Wednesday evenings, visitors being welcome. The objects of the Society had been fairly well carried out, the 27 volumes of the Society's journal bearing testimony thereto. The great problem of solution was the origin of the Pacific Island peoples, the tendency being to carry the ancestors of the people back to Indonesia, but Iwyond that the matter was in doubt. Towards the final solution the Society had helped to lay the foundation by original matter preserved in the Journal, but much remained to be done. The reading and discussion of papers by members at meetings of the Society was advocated, with occasional lectures. The membership was now: 3 patrons, 12 lion, members, 13 corresponding members and 158 ordinary, a total of ISo. Reference has been made to the loss through death, or resignation, of Messrs W. Kerr, S.M., 11. Colley March, A. 11. Tumbul! and J. 11, Wilson, the original members being now reduced to 17 As there was a considerable demand for volumes oi' the Society's publications no-,* out of print it was suggested they be reprinted. The finances were in a good position, there being £45 in Lund. The Society's correspondence with all part,; of tiie world was increasing, showing that the Society was getting known far and wide.

On the motion of Messrs Webster and Rockel the report was adopted.

Mr S. Percy-Smith was unanimously re-elected president. The members of the council balloted out were Messrs Fraser and Smith and both were reelected. Mr W. O. Webster was re-elec-ted auditor, and a voto of thanks was accorded him for his services.

A vote of thanks was also passed to Mr W. D. Skinner for indexing the last volume of the Soeietv's Journal.

Mr IT. E. Vale, Auckland, and the Adalbert College, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. wcro elected members of the Society.

Tiie question of holding public meetings for the discussion of subjects akin to the Society's interest was referred to, and the council was instructed to take tiie matter into consideration with a view to the holding of a series of such meetings. A comprehensive motion of apreeiation of the services of the officers and members of the council was carried unanimously.