Camp Te Wairoa 26th. November. 1868 My dear Mr. McLean, I hope you will excuse the liberty I take in troubling you at a time when you must have so many other things to think about; but having seen testerday's paper that there has been a flood at Opotiki, and my house being built close to the river bank there, my wife and family have, at this moment, no place that I know of to shelter them; and have, in all probability had to take refuge in the redount. Under these circumstances you can imagine how anxious I am that they should be brought away from there. Such being the case, would you kindly use your influence, and give directions that the first Government steamer going there should bring her and family to Napier. I have less hesitation in troubling you about this, as you were kind enough to interest yourself about this matter when you were last here. I should also be much obliged if you would bear in mind, should any Officer be required for management of Transport, care of stores, or in fact any duties where I could, from my former experience, be of service to the Government. I can, I think, without egotism, safely say that in any work of that sort, I could really be of great use, and I can only add that I should be only too glad to be of service. I am my dear Mr. McLean gratefully yours (Signed) M.W. Bower. To:- Donald McLean Esq. Napier.