Ohinemuri 10th. Aug. 1869. My dear Mr. McLean, I wish you would let me raise, or command 100 mounted men, something like the Cape Mounted Rifles, for the following weasons, 1st. Because a Mounted Troop could be despatched from one station to another, much quicker, than men on foot, and at less expense. 2nd. The men could fight on foot, when required to do so, leaving a certain number to look after the Horses. 3rd. I should give them the Carbines that load from the stock, and fire (8) Eight one after the other, the same that General Sherman had for hie men in the American War. I have been nearly over the whole of this Island and know the inland roads pretty well. The reason it struck me that a Troop of this kind would be of great service to the Colony, The other day, I was a t Matata when the St. Kilda took a party of men to Auckland for the Waikato, I thought then, if those men had Horses, how much quicker, they could have gone overland, by way of Ohinemuri to Cambridge, via Kati Kati and Waihi or by way of Te Puna. I have been through Waikato, Taupo, Napier, Wellington, Wanganui, Patea, to within a few miles of Taranakl all the way overland, so I ought to know the country. I have been in Ohinemuri for the last 12 months, and I have been to Tauranga, overland two or three times, I have been in the Tauranga district since 1864, I have also been within half a days walk of Poverty Bay. I saw Mr. C.C. Clark a few days ago at Tauranga, and I told him, that I could carry communication between Tauranga and Auckland via Ohinemuri and Shortland in a few hours (distance about 125 miles). I think a Troop of this kind, would tend to keep the Hau Haus down as they would not know, where the Troop would be, at any moment, I would also keep the Troop constantly on the move between Waikato, Tauranga, Taupo, Napier, and Wanganui as regards regards rations, the Govt, should fix a market price, upon food etc. so the officer commanding the Troop could buy rations etc. at any Post, without any trouble, and give a voucher for the same. I should do away with carrying a sword, and have two revolvers, and carbine, a valise strapped on behind the saddle, a tether rope, and one good blanket strapped on in front, also a small bag, to carry oats, or other things in. I would raise the men in different parts of this Island, so that a certain number would know each district I should also grow maize in different parts of the Island for the use of the Horses. I could have explained my views much better, if I could have seen you. Trusting that you will excuse my writing to you, on this subject. I remain Yours ever sincerely Herbert F. Way. P.S. Please direct to the Shortland Post office. H.W. I have also heard (strictly private) that Opotiki is to be attacked in October or November, I am going to tell Mr. C.C. Clarke about it, the next time I go to Tauranga, but unfortunately I have not the means to travel about now. H.W.