Hocken. — Earliest Literature relating to N.Z. 619 



From this capital sailed many an expedition in quest of dis- 

 covery, and of new and fertile lands, which might extend the 

 trade and fame of Vaderland. These were under the control 

 and direction of the Governor-General, as he was entitled, and 

 his Council. Amongst them was no one more eminent than 

 Governor Antony van Diemen, and amongst his commanders 

 none more skilful, or one who added more to the geographical 

 knowledge of the time, than Abel Jansz Tasman. It was 

 during such expeditions, ranging from 1606 onwards, that the 

 western and southern coasts of Australia were discovered, and 

 named, with true patriotic sentiment, New Holland. Tasman's 

 memorable voyage, which is full of interest for us, extended 

 over a period of ten months, and resulted in the discovery not 

 only of New Zealand, but also of Tasmania, the Tonga or 

 Friendly Isles, the Fijis, and others of less note. The expedi- 

 tion consisted of two vessels — the "Heemskerck" and the" Zee- 

 haan." It was fitted out with much forethought, and, whaG 

 was very unusual, if not unique, an artist formed one of the 

 ship's company. The vessels sailed from Batavia on the 14th 

 of August, 1642, for the Isle of France, or, as it is now called, 

 Mauritius. Thence they proceeded south, discovering and 

 naming Van Diemen's Land. Seven days after, on the 13th 

 of December — not a bad passage for a sailing-vessel even in 

 these days — they fell in with or descried the high land on the 

 west coast of New Zealand. " Staten Land " Tasman first 

 called it, believing it to be part of that great southern conti- 

 nent which his friend and countryman Schouten was supposed 

 to have discovered twenty-five years before. However, on his 

 return to Batavia, Tasman, finding that Schouten's continent 

 was a small island, rechristened his own discovery " New Zea- 

 land," after one of the States of Holland. From the north 

 cape of New Zealand he continued sailing north, adding to 

 his discoveries. Keeping close to the north coast of New 

 Guinea, he made Ceram ;ind then Batavia, where lie dropped 

 anchor on the loth of June, 1643, having thus performed 

 a voyage which has conferred undying lustre on his name, 

 and has marked him the foremost seaman of his century. 

 As was the practice, his journal was handed in to the 

 Governor Van Diemen and the Council, and its valuable 

 contents were reserved for their special use and profit. It 

 rested secure amongst the archives of the great corporation, 

 safe from the longing eyes of trade rivals. But so important 

 a contribution to maritime discovery was not allowed to 

 remain entirely hidden, for thirty years after, in 1674, an 

 abridged narrative of it appeared in Amsterdam by one Van 

 Nierop. Short and unsatisfactory as this was, it was im- 

 mediately translated into many European languages. But a 

 much more valuable contribution was made in 1726 by Fran- 



