Tasman
In consequence of this a shortage of food was brought about, and tribal rights to have the sole occupation of certain localities for snaring purposes were jealously guarded and many minor clashes took place which led to some bloodshed, but as those concerned were few in number nothing very serious occurred. By 1838, however, the influence of the early missionaries was so great that from this date the natives, quick to learn, turned to more peaceful and profitable pursuits, and war was no more in Old Westland.
So much for mythology and conjecture. History tells us that Abel Janszoon Tasman, the famous Dutch navigator, discovered New Zealand, sighting the coast of Westland on December 13th, 1642, and it is this Province, therefore, that first stands sharply silhouetted on the horizon of Dominion history. Tasman quaintly described Westland as “a great land uplifted high, not unlike the island of Formosa with its piles of rugged mountains.” Employed by the Dutch East India Company, who were seeking new lands wherein to establish trading stations, Tasman at this time was endeavouring to ascertain whether New Holland, as Australia was then called,
