The First White Women to Reach New Zealand

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 20, 30 November 1934, Page 6

The First White Women to Reach New Zealand

To the Editor. Sir,-I am reading with interest the articles in the splendid "Radio Record Annual." In the article "Goodwill Greetings to the Natives of the Pacific," written by Major-General Sir George Richarason, K.B.B., C.B., he states that on Christmas Day "in 1814 Bishop Marsden preached hig first sermon to the Maoris at Paihia, in the Bay of Islands." The Rev. Samuel Marsden (not Bishop Marsden) preached his first sermon at Oihi, a few miles within the northern head of the Bay of Islands, not at Paihia, which is some miles from the spot marked by the Marsden Cross. In Mona Tracy’s article "Lincoln Bill and Others," she states: "In 1833 John Bell, of Sydney, landed on the island (Mana). He took with him (also) his wife, one of the first white women ever to reside on the savage shores of old New Zealand." I will mention the names of some women who arrived in New Zealand a

considerable time before 1833. In the brig Active, which arrived at the Bay of Islands on December 22. 1814, the following were passengers :- Mesdames Kendall, Hall, King and

. Hansen. On August 12, 1819, in the American brig General Gates, Mrs. Butler, wife of the Rev. John Butler, and Mrs. Kemp, wife of Mr, James Kemp, reached New Zealand. In 1822 Mrs. Leigh and Mrs, Cowell arrived, In the ship Brampton, which anchored in the Bay of Islands on August 3,

1523, Mesdames Williams, Fairburn, and Turner arrived.-~I am. ete.

OLD

SETTLER

Paihia.