57

I.—2b.

52. Would you consider, if a camp order was made out and signed by the captain commanding the troop to a special trooper to carry a letter from him to some one else—Would it be sufficient authority for that trooper to leave the lines and carry it?—l do not think the captain would do such a thing. 53. I asked you whether it would be sufficient authority for that man to leave the lines and proceed ?—Yes. But the captain would be responsible for the man's going from his camp. The captain would have to answer to the commanding officer. 54. Can you tell me whether there was a parade of the Bay of Plenty Volunteer corps on the 26th June, 1867 : would it be possible for there to be a parade of the Bay of Plenty Volunteer corps without your knowing it on that date, on the 26th June, 1867?— I would have known it, because I was always with Major St. John. 55. Would you necessarily have known what occurred at that parade?—l do not admit that there was a parade. 56. In the event of there being one, would you necessarily have known ?—I would have known, because I was always with Major St. John ; always at the orderly-room. 57. Are you prepared to state whether or not volunteers were called for by Captain Gwynneth at a parade of the Bay of Plenty Volunteer corps, held in June, 1867, to carry despatches to Tauranga?—l was not present when Captain Gwynneth paraded the men. Ido not know whether he did parade the men or not. 58. Did not the Bay of Plenty Volunteer Cavalry corps have a separate parade-ground to the ground upon which the troops were paraded ?•—Yes, I think they had. 59. Was it not some distance from the parade-ground ?—Not very far. 60. Across the swamp 1 — You see, supposing this was the tree whore Mr. Volkner was murdered, there was a little bit of a creek there. Captain Gwynneth's survey-house was the old mission-house on that spot. The cavalry used to parade over there, and the foot corps down here, near the church. 61. Could you see each other other?— Yes. 62. But not hear what took place ?—No. 63. Are you prepared to contradict Mr. Wrigg and Captain Bower when they say that volunteers were called for on parade to carry despatches to Tauranga in June, 1867 ?—Volunteers may have been called for. I cannot say. All I can say is, Trooper McDonald was the man who I heard was going to carry these despatches. 64. Then, you are prepared to contradict Mr. Wrigg or Captain Bower when they say volunteers were called for to carry despatches to Tauranga ?—Captain Bower was not there. 65. Are you prepared to contradict Mr. Wrigg when he says on parade that he volunteered, and he alone volunteered, to carry despatches to Tauranga?—No, because I was not there. I was not on the parade-ground. 66. Are you prepared to contradict Mr. Wrigg when he says that ho stepped forward alone of those who were assembled and volunteered to carry these despatches, and that Trooper McDonald afterwards stepped forward and consented to accompany him ?—No. 67. Then, whether that is correct or incorrect you have no knowledge?—l have no knowledge. 68. Do you know Captain Gwynneth's handwriting?— : Well, it is such a long time ago since I saw it. 69. Do you ever remember having seen hie signature ?—Yes, once or twice. 70. Will you look at this .camp order, and his signature there, and tell me whether that signature is like his ?—I could not say. 71. You have not sufficient knowledge ?—No. 72. Did you see any one set out to carry these despatches on this date: did you absolutely see any one set out to carry these despatches ?—-"All I remember is this : Trooper McDonald was told off to carry those despatches. 73. By whom ?—By Major St. John. 74. In your presence ?—I was there at the time. 75. Where?—At the orderly-tent. 76. Were you aware at the time that he was accompanying Cornet Wrigg?—Not at that time. 77. Were you later?—I heard later that Mr. Wrigg went with him. 78. Will you tell me, in the event of a cornet being ordered to carry despatches and a trooper to go with him, whether it would be the custom of the cornet or the trooper to carry the despatches? —It depends upon the commanding officer. 79. Then, it is quite possible that Mr. Wrigg may have volunteered to carry the despatches. Trooper McDonald may have been appointed to go with him, and yet Trooper McDonald carried the despatches ?—Trooper McDonald was ordered to take those despatches. Whether Mr. Wrigg went with him or first volunteered to go, that is another thing altogether. But Trooper McDonald was the man who was mentioned in the room as to carry those despatches. 80. You mean actually carrying the despatches ?—ln a bag. 81.. Do you suggest there is any more danger in carrying the despatches than accompanying the party who carries them ?—-*No. 82. Are you aware that Mr. Wrigg was a cornet in the Bay of Plenty corps ?—I am quite aware of that. I think Gwynneth was captain, and I think Thompson was Lieutenant. 83. Do you remember seeing Trooper McDonald and Cornet Wrigg set out ?—No; I remember seeing Trooper McDonald go to the orderly-tent. 84. Did you see them actually set out?— -1 remember Trooper McDonald coming to the tent to get the despatches from Major St. John. 85. Do you know whether they started in the morning or afternoon ?—lt think it was about mid-day, but I cannot recoilect that. It would be after 10 o'clock, anyhow.

B—l. 2b.