Wellington 6 July 1870 Dear McLean, In looking carefully over your Militia Bill I find three clauses which I think are objectionable. I would suggest that in clause 1 the words after should be left out and the following inserted ''The officer appointed to take command by order His Exl. the Govr.'' The reason I give for this is that there are officers in my district who you would not like to place in command, but who by virtue of their seniority would claim it. By Clauses 47 and 48 you militarise the demilitarised force the armed Cony. Yours sincerely, Edmund Tuke.