TASMAN’S FIRST VOYAGE TO NEW ZEALAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17183, 29 October 1923, Page 11

TASMAN’S FIRST VOYAGE TO NEW ZEALAND.

In the earliest and most, interesting pages of New Zealand history 'the inlet now known as Golden Bay played a most important part- It- was here that Tasman, after sailing northwards up the coast of the South Island and rounding Cape Farewell, first dropped anchor in New Zealand waters in 1642. Tlic arrival of Tasman’s two .vessels was'received with hostility and suspicion by the Maoris who surrounded the ships in their war c-anoes. An attempt to send a boat from the Zeehan to Tasman’s yacht, the Hecmshirk. ended in disaster*, the savage warrions charging the boat- with their war canoes, upsetting it and clubbing four of its crew. Three men managed to swim clear and espape with their lives. Tasman. realising that it was impossible to form friendly relations with the Natives. heaved anchor and proceeded with the exploration of the coast, giving the inlet the sinister name of Murderers’ Bay. This was subsequently modified to” Massacre Bay. One hundred and twenty years after Tasmans’ visit, Captain Cook, after circumnavigating both islands, made Massacre Bay in his final anchorage, naming the Sandy Spit close to Cape Farewell. This hay had still an important T>art to play in the early history of the young colony. It was there that alluvial gold was first discovered in New Zealand, and the name of the place was changed to Golden Bay. And now. after nearly 280 years after its appearance in our history. Golden Bay has assumed an important role- Rich deposits of limestone and marl were discovered there, as well as coal in the near vicinity. Limestone and marl are the principal ingredients in the manufacture best cement, and the Golden Bay Cement Company some twelve years ago erected the most compact works and up-to-date plant in New Zealand. These works are now producing a cement equal to the best English Portland cement. During the serious trade dgfcression which followed the war period these works unfortunately had to close down, but it will be gratifying to all interested to learn that the company has recommenced operations and is again distributing cement on the various markets in New Zealand. The company has been reconstructed, and is now under entirely new management, and it is safe to assume that Golden Bay should have a very' important part to plav in the future industrial history of the Dominion. REESE BROS., Canterbury Agents, Golden Bav Cement- ' 2