FRENCH EXPLORATION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1383, 8 March 1912, Page 7

FRENCH EXPLORATION.

A mSTIXGmSHKD VISITOR. !By Telegraph— Special Correspondent.) Auckland, March 7. Amongst Iho passen.gcrs by the. Talune from (he Islands to-day was the Comte tie I'lenrii'ii, nf Park who lias been visiting Tahiti and intends to spend a fortnight, or so in .New Zealand. The (.'unite, who is a member of the .Society of I'uris, visited Auckland some six years' ago, and this lime his errand is to secure, it possible, the retention or restoration of French place names given originally bv the many Vronch explorers who came to Australasia in the footsteps of Cook. While in this country he will endeavour to see the Minister for Lands and Mr. ]tol)t. M'Nal), who is a recognised autlmrit.v uii the early history of New Zealand. Sneaking to a reporter, the Comte said that: he hnd always been interested in New Zealand, and was glad lo notice (he progress that Auckland had made since his former visit. Jle mentioned Hint he much wished to see the spot: in the l!ay of Island*, where-llie explorer. Marion du Fresno, was killed in (he closing years of the eighteenth century, and if possible have some memorial erected to innrk (lie place. If (iu'ie allowed, he would visit (lie north, but he had to leave shortly ii\ continuation of his (our, which included part of the Fast Indie.-, Japan, and (he I'acific Coast nf North America, whore lie hoped In find further traces of his countrymen's exploration.