TRUE LEGEND OF THE SOUTH SEAS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 167, 20 April 1871, Page 6

TRUE LEGEND OF THE SOUTH SEAS.

Van Diemen, the Governor of Batavia, had an only child — Maria. She possessed every charm needed for perfection in a woman's character.

Young, lovely, and accomplished, many suitors sought her hand. None found so much favour as the dashing, handsome, skilful sailor, Abel Jansen Tasmau.

Maria and Tasman exchanged vows of endless love ; but, with them was the old adage verified. The course of their true love did not run smooth ; the facts were unpropitious. Though acknowledged by all as a brave and honourable man, Tasman lacked the one qualification without which no man need hope to be a welcome suitor for a daughter's hand. " She must mate with one possessed of fortune, and with a patent of nobility," said the worldly - minded Governor.

They must part, and for ever. Forget each other and the past ! "Never! Impossible !" they both cxelaiined.

.About this time the Batavian traders had some rather dreamy ideas that a vast continent — a terra incognita — existed somewhere near the South Pole. Much was said on this matter ; and alas for the lovers Van Diemen determined to fit out an expedition for the purpose of discovering where the unknown land lay. The voyage was hazardous, and in the secret of his heart, Van Diemen dared hope by giving the command to Tasman, that an eternei separation might be effected between the lovers. The chances were heavy against the expedition returning to the Bataviau shore, and should destruction overtake it, no surer means thau death could be employed to break through their plighted troth. He brought the project before the council, obtained their assent, and in 1642, Abel Tasman, a good and loyal subject, in unquestioning obedience, accepted the command imposed upon him. So far, Van Diemen gained his end. Tasman and Maria were separated; but beyond this, the inexorable father could do nothing ; lie could not destroy the electric cord that joined the loving hearts. Each image rested ineflaceably in the other's mind. Parted materially — in spirit they were one, and so they one remained.

Pure hallowed love enervates not the mmd — Tnsunan did not succumb. There was a prize within his reach ; ho would win rank, fame, and fortune, and immortalise Maria Van Diemen's name — then claim her hand.

We of this day know how his expedition fared — after the lapse of 200 years his praises are still sung.

The fickle goddess favoured Tasman. His star was in the ascendant ; he voyaged onwards full of hope, discovering first the southern part of what is now Van Diemen's Laud ; an island off the south-eastern extremity he called Maria, identifying thus the name of her he loved with his success.

Then again he fearlessly steered his onward course across the ocean, traversed now for the first time by civilized man. On the 14th December the long Jine of mountainous const was sighted by the anxious mariners ; on the 18th they anchored in a sheltered bay. Natives opposed the landing of these Dutch explorers; three of the crew were killed, hence was the bay named Moodeneares (murderer's) Bay by Tasmau : the country of Staten Land after the States' General. This was the first discoverer of New Zealand ; and the Moodeneares is known to us as Massacre Bay. Then Tasman again took sail on the sth January, 1643. He discovered islauds that he named Drei Konig, or Three Kings. It was the Feast of the Epiphany, which fell on that sth January, and is so commemorated.

The extreme point of Staten Island, or New Zealand, he called Cape Maria Van Diemen, a grand, bold headland that fearlessly defies the ocean's angry waves. It is a sublime emblem of Tasman's unyielding courage, of his firm and unchanging love.

Her name recorded on this Grod.made monument, Tasman sailed further in search of fresh discoveries, and came across those islands afterwards named by our immortal navigator the " Friendly Isles." Then he steered for his native land; his love unquenched ; honours were awarded him, he had made himself a glorious name, the needful qualification had been gained. He laid his name, his honours, and his riches at Maria's feet ; Van Diemen witheld his consent no longer, and Tasman wed the prize for which he had struggled so long.

In 1644 he started again to make fresh discoveries, but it does not ap-

pear that New Zealandjrvrai^again visited until 1769. On the obh of October, in thafc year, Cook came across what he at firsWmagined to be ( the "Terra IncogrfittKlustralis," butf he soon perceive/c that this was part of the "Staten'Land," discovered by Abel Jansen Tasman.