2

I.—2b

34. What happened?—A volunteer was aeked for to carry despatches to Tauranga. 35 Who asked for a volunteer?— Captain Gwynneth. . 36. What happened when Captain Gwynneth called for a volunteer ?-I volunteered. 37. In presence of the troop?— Yes. 38 Did you say anything?—l said, provided he gave me a trooper. 39. Did you not know the road yourself ?-No; and another thing, it was wmter-time-tfae riVer lo We Wh fl a o t°happened when you said you would volunteer provided you got a trooper ?-Trooper McDonald volunteered to go along with me. 41. Were there any camp orders issued ?—Of course. 42 With special reference to your carrying despatches ?—Yes. 43. Who issued them ?—Colonel St. John, I presume. 44. He was then major?— Yes. 45. Did you see the camp orders ? —Yes. . „ 46 Did any other officer issue a camp order in connection with the volunteering /—JNo. 47' Did not Captain Gwynneth ?—I think myself it was the troop camp orders I copied. 48. Did Captain Gwynneth issue any orders in connection with your carrying despatches ?- Yes. 49. You saw them, I suppose ?—Yes, and copied them. 50 Have you got a copy that you made at the time ?—Yes. 51 YounXeacopy at the time, which copy you say is in the Defence Department-you forwarded °i?to the Defence Department ?-Yes. The original copy that I made I sent to the depa Jr n fl«toW«m: Mr. Chairman, I might ask Sir Arthur Douglas, Under-Secretary in the Defence Office, to produce the document. [Copy of extract from camp orders put in.—Exhibit 52 Mr. Hutchison.] Is that the document, Mr. Wrigg?—Yes. 53 This purports to be an original ?—lt is a copy of the original. 54. That is the document you sent to the Defence Department ?—Yes. 55! Is that signed by Captain Gwynneth?—Yes. 6?! How a did h you B become possessed of this document ?—Because they were my ordert to go down to Tauranga. ..,..« -v 58 That document was handed to you at the time I —xes. 59. In whose handwriting is the body of the document ?—Mine. 60. The signatures are those of Captain Gwynneth ?—Yes. 61. When did you start on this ride?—ln June. 62. Was it on the same day or next after the date of that order?— The next day; but I Vfould not swear to that. I believe it was the next day we started. 63 What letters were civen to you ?—Despatches. It To whom were the despatches addressed ?-To the officer commandmg the district at TaUI 65 B That would be Colonel Harington ?—Yes, I think co, but Ido not know who it was. 66. Did you not read the address ?—I do not know that I did. 67 W T ere there more than one letter?—No; only one packet. 68 You did not read the direction on the parcel?—No, not that I remember. 69. You are sure there was only one parcel ?—There was only one parcel. 70. Did you meet any difficulty on the way ?—No. 71. Did you reach Tauranga?—Yes. 72 With Trooper McDonald ?—Yes. . ... T ~. . ~ 73. To whom did you deliver the parcel?—l think it was to Captain Goldsmith; I thmk it WaS 74 On the way did you meet any official coming from Tauranga to Opotiki?—No. 75! Did you meet Major Mair ?—No, not Major Mair. He was only a young man at the tame. 76 You met Major Mair—Captain Mair—or whom?—We did not meet him at all. 1 remember that a Captain Mair cams back from Tauranga for two miles to see us on our journey back again ; he was so pleased with our ride. . 77 What had been the extent of your ride, then?—l suppose, eighty or ninety mile*. 78 You got back, when ?—I think it was in three days we got back, 79. What happened after you came back—was the troop paraded for further service ?—No, not "°* - on any ofcher expedition ?—When I arrived I wanted a bottle of porter. I went into the mess-room and got it. I had to be assisted on my horse, I was so sore with riding. 81. Did you go on any other expedition?— Yes, right off. 82. What wae that expedition ?—I went off to bring in the bodies of Moore and Begge. 83. Who had been murdered some time before? —Yes. 84. Who was in command? —Captain Gwynneth. 85. Did you see Major Mair there ?—Decidedly not. 86. What happened when the bodies were found? Did you bring them back or bury thorn?— We SJwid you continue a member of the Volunteer Cavalry Corps after that?—l cannot exactly fix the dates; but there was an order came to me to go to the South, and 1 accepted it. It was understood another former letter was mislaid. 88. In consequence of that letter you decided to leave for the South?— Yes,