“MURIHiKU.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 464, 27 July 1909, Page 2

“MURIHiKU.”

We have received from the publishers, Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs, a copy of Mr McNab’s book, “Murihikn,” The book contains a history of the South Island of New Zealand and the Islands adjacent and lying to the south, from 1632 to 1835. The book is the result ot years of research and should be welcomed by the student of New Zealand history. Further, every New Zealander who takes a pride in his island home should not fail to secure a copy, and we should like to see the book placed on the catalogue of every State School library throughout the Dominion. Old charts of early navigators are faithfully reproduced and the logs, ot the earlest known navigators afford very interesting reading. As the edition is limited to 500 odd copies, early application should be made for the book- The letter press work illustrations, and binding reflect the highest credit upon the publishers.

A protest is entered by Mr M’Nab in “Murihiku ” against an injustice that has been done to Abel Tasman. “The author,” he says, speaking of himself “is compelled to admit that his countrymen have scarcely been fair to the Dutch expedition. Rocky Cape is now Cape Foulwind ; Steep Point is Rocks Point; Murderers Bay is Golden Bay ; Abel Tasman’s Road is now Admiralty Bay ; and Zeehaen Bight has no name. None of the names given by Tasman are now found attached to the South Island. Names, it is true, have been given indicative of Tasman’s visit. We have, for instance, Abel Head and Tasman Bay, though Tasman never saw the Head, nor did his ships sail into the Bay. Nothing can disguise the fact that we have not acted rightly to the great Dutch navigator who first Unfurled a flag of Europe on the coast of New Zealand.”