262 EEPOET— 1891. 



and, apart from D'Urville's personal observations, contains a 

 very full compendium of all previously known and written on 

 the subject. He added much to our topographical knowledge, 

 exploring Blind and Tasman Bays, and, proceeding northerly, 

 accurately laid down portions of the unknown coast, which for 

 ever will be associated with his name on the map. Amongst 

 them are the well-known D'Urville Island, Astrolabe Eoads, 

 Croixelles Harbour, and the famous French Pass, through 

 w^hich he was the first to lead the way and to show that by 

 twenty miles was shortened the sailor's passage north. The 

 successful accomplishment of this dangerous feat in seaman- 

 ship is told by him in a story of dramatic force, and it proves 

 him to have possessed great courage and resource. Sailing up 

 the east coast he explored the Hauraki Gulf and the whole 

 district about and around the future Auckland, inclusive of 

 those lovely islets which lend additional beauty to the waters 

 of the Waitemata. Again he renewed his friendship with 

 those missionary dwellers in the Bay of Islands to whose 

 courtesy and assistance he and Duperrey had been indebted 

 on their previous visit in the " Coquille." Of the brothers Wil- 

 liams's kindness and assistance he speaks in high terms, and he 

 left them and their charming surroundings wath lingering re- 

 gret. Eight years later, and with similar gratitude, did Charles 

 Darwin speak, when, in the " Beagle," he quitted the same 

 oasis. 



Again, in 1837-40, did D'Urville conduct a second scientific 

 expedition towa^rds the South Pole, visiting New Zealand by 

 the way. The mode of his death was peculiarly dreadful. 

 After successfully running the gauntlet of every danger found 

 in sea and climate, he was burnt to death with his wife and 

 family whilst travelling in a railway-carriage between Paris 

 and Versailles, and this at the early age of fifty-two years. 



In October, 1831, Cciptain Laplace, commanding " La 

 Favorite," visited the Bay of Islands on his voyage round the 

 world, remaining there a month. During this time he accu- 

 rately surveyed a large portion of this vast bay, the Kawa- 

 kawa Eiver, Kororareka, and many of the small inlets. This 

 chart is a monument not only of accuracy, but of exquisite 

 artistic taste. 



Thus, in quick succession, did three discovery vessels belong- 

 ing to the "bloody tribe of Marion" visit and survey these 

 shores. It was, doubtless, this which led the missionaries 

 under the iioju of the chiefs of New Zealand to address the 

 King, praying that British protection might be extended to 

 the Islands of New Zealand. The prayer was answered by 

 sending, in 1833, Mr. James Busby as British Resident. 



In 1834 and 1835 H.M.SS. "Alligator" and "Buffalo" 

 surveyed the harbour of Whangaroa and the Hauraki Gulf, 



