The 200th Anniversary of the Landing by Marion du Fresne in the Bay of Islands - 8c
In April 1772 the two ships of this expedition anchored in the Bay of Islands. The Maori were friendly and camps were set up on Moturoa Island. On 6 June du Fresne and 13 men went to visit a neighbouring village but were never seen again. The following day 12 men went ashore to search but only one returned. It is believed the French may have violated a native tapu. The design incorporates a silhouette of a 22 gun French frigate together with a portion of the Maori palisade at Motorua.
He arrived with the MASCARIN and MARQUIS DE CASTRIES in the Bay of Islands, more on the two vessels is given on: http://www.shipstamps.co.uk/forum/viewt ... rin#p12166
New Zealand 1972 8c sg981, scott?
Source: http://stamps.nzpost.co.nz/new-zealand/ ... iversaries