POLYNESIAN SOCIETY

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1922, Page 4

POLYNESIAN SOCIETY

APPRECIATION OF THE LATE PRESIDENT. f PLANS FOR FUTURE. - The current issue of the Journal of the Polynesian Society is a memorial number to the late Mr. Percy Smith. The editor, Mr. Edward Tregear, Mr. Elsdon Best, Hare Hongi (Henry Stowell), Dr. Te Rangitiroa and Mr. 11. D. Skinner each contribute an article or memoir on the work and life of the late distinguished president of the Polynesian Society. In his memoir, Mr. Tregear (an authority on Polynesian ethnology) says: “I cannot refrain from saying that I believe our beloved president’s moral strength, purity of life and conduct, and his high ideals had their service in a religious belief too deep for words, but moulding every thought and action. His life was a mute but perfect witness to the sincerity of his faith and hope. During that eventful, beneficent life he, like the three Wise Men in the gospel story, ‘carried his star.’ and now, like them, ho has presented his offerings—gold and frankincense and myrrh.” The journal states that Mr. Elsdon Best has accepted the position of president of the society, and that the headquarters will continue at New Plymouth. At the request of the council, Mr. W. H. Skirtner has undertaken the duties of editor of the journal until another comes forward, whilst Mr. W. W. Smith will be associate editor. A quantity of original matter is assisting publication, and the council is .assured of generous support for the future. The late Mr. Percy Smith was for thirty years editor of the journal, discharging the duties with conspicuous ability and success, and it is realised that the high standard he set w :1 l be difficult to maintain.