Government House New Zealand July 19, 1872 My dear Mr. McLean, I send you for your perusal the enclosed "secret" despatch. As you will see, it cannot be published, but, of course any hints can be taken from it. I regret to find that Capt. Pitt has neglected to procure from England during the six months that have elapsed since he was retained here at the request of Ministers, the detailed information necessary to enable the Govt. and Parliament to decide on any plan of Harbour defence. If you will specify what you are likely to want, I will write at once to the War Office, asking the cost of the guns, steam-launches etc. Probably the Imperial Govt. wd. give the Colony a number of guns, steam launches seem to be appropriate, because they wd. recoup their cost by being used as lighters in time of peace. We want defence here only against such vessels as the "Alabama" etc Faithfully yours, G. F. Bowen The Honble. D. McLean, C. M. G. P. S. Pray return the enclosed when read.