TASMAN'S FIRST VOYAGE TO NEW ZEALAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17219, 10 December 1923, Page 10

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 that Tasman, after sailing northwards up the coast of the South Island and rounding Cape Farewell, first dropped anchor in New Zealand waters in 1(34“The arrival of Tasman’s two vessels was received with hostility and suspicion by the .Maoris who surrounded the ships in their war canoes. An attempt to send a boat from the Zeelian to Tasman's yacht, the Heenisliirk, ended in disaster, the savage warriors charging the boat with their war canoes, upsetting it and clubbing four of its crew. Three men managed to swim clear and escape 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 Murderer'? 1 Bay. This was subsequently modified to Massacre Bay. One hundred and twenty years after Tasman's visit, Captain Cook, after circumnavigating both islands, made Massacre Bay in his final anchorage, naming the Sandy Spit ©lose to Cap© Farewell. This bay had still an important pari 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 j j place was changed to Golden Bav. And now. alter nearly 280 years‘after i its appearance in our history. Golden ; Bay has assumed an important role. : Rich deposits of limestone and marl wore discovered there, as well as coal ■in the near vicinity. Limestone and i marl arc the principal ingredients in : ihe inauiifactiire of the best cement. . and the Golden Bay Cement Company 1 some twelve years ago erected the most . compact works and up-to-date plant in ! New Zealand. These works are now t producing a cement equal to the best English Portland cement. I During the serious trade depression j which followed the war period these 1 works unfortunately had to - lose down, but it will be gratifying to all interested to learn that, the company has recommenced operations and is again i distributing cement on the. various markets in New Zealand. The company has been reconstructed, and is now under entirely now management, and it is safe to assume that Golden Bay should have a very important p&rt to plav in the future industrial history of .he Dominion. B ELSE BROS . Canter bury Agents, Golden Bay Cement. 2