Hocken. — Early Visits of the French to New Zealand. 147 



-else around me, but those of my companions who could give more 

 attention said it was a magnificent sight to see the ' Astrolabe ' 

 bending down as though to allow the surrounding whirlpools 

 to engulf her, and then, gracefully rising, sail with majesty 

 through them to the quieter waters beyond." Such is the 

 thrilling story of this courageous and resourceful sailor who 

 first sailed through and named the French Passage. Even now, 

 though steam has robbed it of every danger, the passenger 

 traverses it with awe and bated breath. The remainder of 

 M. D'Urville's stay in New Zealand was marked by further 

 dangers, due to tempestuous weather, which seems to have 

 been raging round its coasts. His visit to the Bay of Islands, 

 however, greatly made amends. It was of over a week's dura- 

 tion, and he was warmly received by his former friends the 

 missionaries, the brothers Henry and William Williams espe- 

 cially. He made extensive surveys along the eastern coast, 

 and collected valuable information regarding the Natives and 

 the natural history of the country. One of his remarks exhibits 

 singular prevision where treating of possible future settlement 

 in the country. His points of selection were the neighbourhood 

 of Cook Strait, and then the Hauraki ; fourteen years later at 

 these spots were founded Auckland and Wellington. On his 

 return to France the results of this expedition were printed 

 by the Government in the most elaborate and sumptuous manner 

 in eleven octavo volumes of letterpress and six folios of accom- 

 panying maps and illustrations. These consist not only of the 

 history of the voyage, but of scientific contributions to most 

 departments of science, and all are of great value. Two of the 

 volumes are devoted to New Zealand, and really form a standard 

 reference on the subject, and although, unfortunately, but little 

 known, are well worthy of translation. In one closely printed 

 volume of 800 pages is brought together from every source 

 what may be considered the chronicles of New Zealand from 

 the discovery by Tasman to date. Altogether our indebtedness 

 to this great voyager and his celebrated companions is not to 

 be overestimated. His name remains with us not only attached 

 to important surveys, but also to many of our New Zealand 

 plants. 



In October, 1831, Captain Laplace, in the discovery vessel 

 <c La Favorite," spent a week at the Bay of Islands to rest and 

 refresh his crew, enfeebled and almost decimated by diseases of 

 tropical climes. Short as the stay was, he made an accurate 

 survey of portions of this large bay, many of its inlets, the 

 Kawakawa River, and adjacent country. The charts are re- 

 markably accurate, of artistic beauty, and with all the finish of 

 engravings. To him again are we indebted for further early 



