I.—2b

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51. I suppose any one going up there anticipating danger would go very fast?— Yes, it would be just as well to go fast —less chance of being shot. 52. Was it at all an unusual thing for mounted men to go out therein ones and twos? —I fancy they would go in twos, because it was the custom. 53. Is this occasion on which these two men were murdered the only occasion you recollect any fatality in that vicinity ?—Yes. 54. Do you know if after this murder was reported the locality was scoured the next day or shortly afterwards in search of the enemy?—l could not say for certain ;itis so many years ago it is difficult to recollect. 55. You do not know if a body ot men went out, but have some recollection of hearing of it ?— I think there were some ; I do not recollect. 56. You do not know if Cornet Wrigg and Trooper McDonald went along this road the day after this scouring party were out ? —I do not recollect that. 57. You have had some knowledge of Native warfare and their methods ?—Yes, some little knowledge. 58. What is your experience? —I was in the war in 1863 right up till the end of 1569 or 1870 off and on ; during the latter period 1 commanded the East Coast contingent after Te Kooti. 59. You had four or five years of it?— Yes; although I was in the Civil Service I was frequently called upon to act in a military capacity up to 1870. 60. Were you engaged on any occasion? —Yea. 61. You have a fair knowledge of the Native methods of warfare ?—Yes, I think so. 62. Has it been your experience that, after a murder such as this committed, the Natives usually hung about the spot after the act, or did they shift their quarters ?—I cannot say. Ido not think it is likely they would hang about the spot. They would expect a party to go out and attack them. 63. Do you think they would shift their quarters ?—Yes. 64. In that case there was no special danger in a man going up there the day after the parties were out ?—I fancy there would be less danger at that time. 65. Were you up and down the road about that time ?—No, not about that time. I was over that road before, but not in that particular time. 66. At that time did you know Mr. Wrigg?—l do not think I did. I might have known him. I knew him afterwards very well. 67. At that time did you hear of any act of conspicuous bravery on the part cf Mr. Wrigg in connection with the carrying of despatches ? —I cannot recollect that. 68. Did you know or ever hear of Trooper McDonald, of the Bay of Plenty Volunteer Cavalry Corps? —I do not recollect him. 69. Had Mr. Wrigg done anything to distinguish himself in that way, do you not think it is probable that you would have heard of it at the time? It would have been to some extent impressed upon your memory ?—Yes, I naturally would think so. 70. Do you know how many men there were camped at Opotiki at tha.t time ?—I cannot say from memory. There was the left wing of the first Waikato Eegiment. 71. How many do you suppose they numbered ?—Between three hundred and fifty and four hundred men, perhaps. 72. In addition to them the Poverty Bay Mounted Troopers were staying there?— Yes. 73. Do you know who was in command ?—Captain Gwynneth. 74. Was Captain Gwynneth in command of the Waikatos as well?—No; Major St. John ; he was the commanding officer. 75. In the case of certain despatches going through to Tauranga, whose duty would it be to send them?— The commanding officer, Major St. John, or through his adjutant. 76. So long as the superior officer was there it would not, I understand, fall to Captain Gwynneth to send them'?—No ;if the commanding officer was absent, of course, the next senior takes his place. 77. Do you know whether Major St. John was away ?—I cannot recollect. 78. In any case, it was the business of the senior officer?— Yes. 79. Mr. Moore.] From your knowledge of the Maori system of carrying on their warfare, and your knowledge of the bluff —provided that the murder was committed at the bluff—and that the country had been scoured the next day by scouts, do you think there would be any danger after that for a day or two?—lf the country had been scoured I do not suppose there would be much danger. 80. You think the Natives would naturally clear away into the back country ?—Yes. 81. That was the most dangerous part of the road ?—Yes, I may point to that as being the most dangerous part of the road. 82. The Chairman.] When the murder of Bennett White and the mailman was committed, where were you at the time?—l have an idea I was at Tauranga, and came up to Maketu immediately afterwards. I recollect the body coming in. very well on a pack-horse. 83. How many miles would Maketu be from Ohiwa in the neighbourhopd in which the murder was committed? —I should think it would be about thirty-five miles. 84. When did you arrive xt Opotiki? Did you have to remain at Maketu, or did you go on to Opotiki ?—I remained at Makjtu. 85. So you had no actual knowledge of what transpired at Ohiwa ?—No. 86. Had you any personal knowledge of Cornet Wrigg and Trooper McDonald carrying despatches from Opotiki to Tauranga?—Not that I can recollect. I can recollect orderlies coining up to Tauranga from Opotiki, but cannot recollect anything of this special occasion.