I;E1'0I!T of AXTHi;OI'OI,0(iIC.VL STAXDINU 

 COMMITTEE. 



This committee had its oiii-in in the following leeommendations of 

 the British Association made duiing its \ isit to Soutii Africa in 190"), 

 viz. : — 



1. That it is desirable that the Goveinments of the South African 



States be urged to take all necessary steps to collect, recoi-d 

 and preserve the knowledge and observations of men, such as 

 missionaries, administrators and others, who were living in 

 intimate relations with the native tribes beff)re the achance 

 of civilisation began to obiscure and e\'en obliterate all true 

 traditions, custonis and habits of the South African peoples ; 

 such steps to be taken without delay, especially in view of 

 the old age and growing infirmities of most of the men 

 referred to, and of the danger that with their deaths the 

 kntiwledge, wliich, if carefully recorded and preserved, would 

 form a most valuable contribution towards the history of the 

 aboriginal population, would be irrevocably lost : and that 

 the Couiicil be reconnnended to communicate with the South 

 African Association and suggest the appointment of a com- 

 mittee to deal with the matter. 



2. That, owing to the use by diflferent writers and Government 



authorities of various names for the same groups of South 

 African natives, much confusion and difficulty have arisen in 

 anthropological and historical literature ; that it is conse- 

 quently desirable that Government authorities and otliers 

 should confer as to the proper nomenclature of such groups 

 (clans, tribes and nations) with a view to ascertaining their 

 intei-relationships, and to suggesting the most appropriate 

 name for each group, and the best method of spelling that 

 name phonetically ; and that the Council be recommended to 

 communicate with the South African Association and take 

 such other steps as may conduce to this object. 



3. That the committee are of opinion that it would conduce to 



the greater efficiency of officers who have to administer native 

 affairs, and contribute to the advancement of anthropological 

 science as well as prove of considerable advantage to the well- 

 l)eing of the nati\'es themselves, if opportunity could be given 

 to such officers before or after their appointment to study com- 

 parative ethnology for at least two terms in tlie Uni\ersity of 

 London, Oxford or Cambridge ; and that in the case of junior 

 c>fficers already on active service such a cour.se of study would 

 facilitate their comprehension of native institutions and ideas 

 and help to render their services more efficient : the com- 

 mittee recommends the Council t() take steps for the purpose 

 of bringing this matter l)efore the proper authorities. 



