POLYNESIAN SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 February 1922, Page 6

POLYNESIAN SOCIETY.

THE ANNUAL MEETING.

THE WORK REVIEWED. The annual meeting of the Polynesian Society was held yesterday in the Hempton Hall. Carnegie Institute, New Plymouth. There was an attendance of about fifteen members. In the absence of the president (Mr. S. Percy Smith) through illness Mr. W. H. Skinner was voted to the cllStir.

The council’s 28th annual report stated; “The business of the society has run on so smoothly that there is little to be said. Our quarterly journal has been issued regularly and contains much matter of an original and valuable character which, but for our journal, would never have seen the light. Among the more valuable papers contributed to the journal was that by Mr. Collocot on Tongan religion, a subject about which little has previously appeared in print. The 30th volume is now completed. There has been a great demand for the early numbers which we could rarely satisfy, and these demands come from libraries and individuals in other countries very largely.

“Our library continues to increase through the publications received by way of exchange or gift and visitors are frequent on th*e afternoons the library is open. The council deeply regrets to report the death of two valued members in Mr. C. A. Ewen, who was a member of the first council of the society, and Mr. W. L. Newman, a member of the council and also our tra-surer for many years past. Mr. W. H. Skinner very kindly took over the duties in the meantime. During the year the council elected 27 ordinary new members and 2 life members; against this nine members were struck off the roll for non-payment of subscriptions, while two resigned. On December 31 our numbers were as follows; Patrons 3, honorary members 1 1. corresponding members 14, ordinary members 200— total 228, an increase of 18 members since last year.

“Our members will notice with satisfaction from our treasurer’s accounts that our financial position is better than it ever has been, which is largely due to the sale of back numbers of the journal. With a balance of £BO we ought to work off some of the papers we have in hand. Unluckily many of these require translation and our translator is in anything but a fit state to undertake the work at present.”

The balance-sheet showed that receipts were £309 Is 4d. the items being balance from last year £5O 10s 9d, life members’ subscriptions (2) £2O; subscriptions and sale of journal £238 10s 7d. The expenditure was £217 9s 7d, leaving a credit of £Bl Ils 9d. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Mr. S. Percy Smith was re-elected president and Messrs. Skinner and. W. H. Rockel, the retiring members of the council, were re-appointed. Mr. F. C. Tribe was appointed auditor.

The question of publishing some of the papers at present in manuscript was discussed, and the council was given power to expend sufficient money for this purpose. The chairman remarked that many of the papers were too valuable to leave in manuscript and in most cases there was only one copy. The matter of the society procuring 5 Royal charter was touched on and the council was authorised to make the necessary enquiries. The chairman said lie thought it would be admitted that the work of the society in research entitled it to .the honor claimed.

Votes of thanks were passed to the out going council and president.

The council was recommended to take into consideration the question of instituting lectures during the winter months with the idea of popularising the society.