Government House New Zealand July 5, 1870 My dear McLean, I have just seen Captain Maney of the ''Virago'' - I find that he had left Auckland before he received my letter asking him to do what you recommended, viz. to stay a month at Tauranga. Accordingly, he acted on his instructions from Commodore Lambert; called in at Tauranga for a day; was told by the local authorities that all was quiet there; so he came on here touching at various places on the East Coast. He will stay at Wellington until the Commodore's arrival at the end of this month, unless we want to send him on special service, in case of a disturbance anywhere. He thinks that the ''Blanche'' has gone to the Auckland and Bounty Islands, and will be here soon. I gave a note to you to Mr. Hirtzell recommended by Sir E. Lingard; but I hope that you will recollect that I know nothing of the merits of these applicants, and do not, , desire to interfere with the public patronage of the colony, when I simply introduce any of them to you. Ever yrs., G. F. Bowen P. S. Pray tell your colleagues about the ''Virago'' and ''Blanche''.