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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 7, Issue 6 (October 1, 1932.)

The Discovery of Nelson

The Discovery of Nelson.

In an article on Nelson City and provincial district, in the last number of the Railways Magazine, a contributor told the story of the first discovery of the comfortable haven which is now the port of Nelson. Credit was given to Captain F. G. Moore, whose descendants live in Wellington to-day, for the discovery and for the piloting of the first English ships into the harbour, in 1841. This, when reprinted in a daily paper, drew a rather assertive criticism from a history student, who declared that Captain Arthur Wake-field was the discoverer. The writer of the Magazine article apparently did not consider the criticism was worth a reply. But it may here be said that there is page 42 abundant documentary evidence to show that Captain Moore was not only the pilot of the first ships into the harbour, but was in charge of the exploring boat which made the preliminary reconnaissance and found the haven and the entrance.

It was Moore who first advised the Wakefields', at Wellington, to explore the northern coast of the South Island for a site for the Nelson settlement, and who suggested Blind Bay as a likely place; and it was at the Wakefields' request that he piloted the expeditionary fleet. Authentic evidence places that beyond reasonable dispute.

But some of our young students of history continue to repeat the old story giving all the credit to Captain Wake-field. Some day, perhaps, when Captain Moore's complete narrative, preserved by his descendants, is published he will be given full credit for his pioneering work before Nelson colony came into existence.