Journal Of The Polynesian
pp. 31-32 · Read in the full issue
Society
THE June issue of the Polynesian Society’s Journal, recently to hand, contains a number of interesting articles dealing with the Pacific Islands.
This is the second Centennial number issued by the Society, whose headquarters are in Wellington.
It must have struck many readers of early South Seas records left by mission aries and travellers that there are dis crepancies in the reports they gave of native myths and traditions. In a search ing article, Dr. Katharine Luomala, of the Bishop Museum (Honolulu), attempts some assessments of such sources, as well as others less common. In the process, she produces interesting anomalies, up sets a few accepted stories and gives authority for others.
Dr. H. lan Hogbin’s paper on the ex istence of Polynesian elements among the Melanesian areas demonstrates the method of using myths and legends, physical characteristics, and articles oi material culture as bases for comparison and identification.
Mrs. H. B. R. Parham continues her useful annotated list of Fiji plants. Also of Fijian interest is Mr. R. R. C.
MacLachlan’s comprehensive treatise on Fijian native pottery; the Journal is al ways notable for the excellence of its
illustrations, and supplementing this article they are quite up to standard.
Illustrations again, are an eloquent ad junct to the supplement on Polynesian artifacts from the Oldman collection, which are well explained in brief notes.
There are three other short items on Easter and other islands and a couple on aspects of Maori history and genealogy.
Mr. A. L. Lewis, manager of W. H.
Grove and Sons, Ltd., Rarotonga, Cook Group, returned to New Zealand in Sep tember, accompanied by his wife and two daughters.
Captain J. D. Camobell. of Rarotonga, Cook Islands, was in New Zealand in September spending furlough.
Mr. James Rennie, of Ngatangaiia, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, recently married Miss Clemency Williams, of Hastings, New Zealand. Mr. Rennie, who graduated at the end of 1939 as N.M.P. from the Suva Medical School, is now serving with the N.Z. military forces. His bride, who spent several months at Raro tonga early this year, is a member of a pioneer New Zealand family long known for its hospitality to Cook Islanders staying in the Dominion.