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77. From memory of what circumstances?— That Trooper McDonald took despatches. 78. Did you see him in possession of them?—l did not. 79. You never saw him leave or return V — 1 did not. 80. You believed he carried the despatches?—lt was the talk of the camp, and wo wondered why he got the preference, and all that sort of thing. 81. You told Mr. Hutchison that if an act of valour had been performed hy one individual, it might not have been discussed. You said that, the Military Settlers would not necessarily admire a rid< /of this kind, because it was a common tiling for men to carry despatches?— Yes ; except as to acts of valour. 82. Then the carrying of despatches through this country might not necessarily be a subject of comment ?—That is quite correct. 83. And the fact that a man carrying despatches faced real dangers in a time like the time we speak of would not necessarily be commented on?— The only real danger was when a.trooper went inland to follow up a party of Bangers to give them or bring back despatches. The beach was not dangerous. 84. Is it not a fact some man waa killed also about the same place ?—There was a Native mailman killed. 85. No, some other Maori. Do you remember a Maori besides the mailman being killed ?— There was one killed at Ohiwa, on the island. 86. Killed by the hostile tribes?— Yes, but partly inland, on an island. 87. Is that near where the ferry was ?—Yes, only some distance inland. 88. I want you to bring your recollection back to the time that they went out to discover the bodies of Moore and Beggs. You remember that Wrigg went?— That is the third time we went out. 89. How long do you think the bodies were missing?— About three weeks or a month, as far as my recollection carries me. 90. Do you remember whether the news that they were missing was received prior to the news of the murder of Bennett White and the mailman ?—lt was some considerable time afterwards. How long, I could not tell you. 91. Why do you o ay it was after ? How is it you come to recollect that it was after?— Well, in getting dates I have got to tax my memory. My memory tells me Bennett White was killed some time before Moore and Beggs. 92. The news was received that they were missing, but their bodies were not found till after. Are you able to swear I am incorrect ?—The news was brought in by Wilkinson. 93. The news was suppressed ?—I do not know that that was the case. 94. To the best of your recollection it was not so? —It was some time before Moore and Beggs were missing that Bennett White was killed. 95. Would you be prepared to state that it was after the 29th July, 1867, when the bodies of White and the mailman were recovered ?—I cannot swear to the date. Thirty-one years ago is a very long time. 96. Do you know whether it was in the month of June or July ?—That I cannot tell you. 97. Or the beginning or end of any particular month ? —I could not tell you. 98. Do you remember the day of the week ?—I remember—this is on the Sunday—a couple of men went with us to keep our horses, and we tried to see if we could track Moore and Beggs. We received the news that they were killed on a Saturday. 99. Did you know Major St. John well?— Very well. 100. Were you on such terms of friendship with him that you could go to the house and discuss matters with him ?—I knew him as my superior officer. 101. Were you on visiting terms, and dined at his table?—Oh, no. 102. Your relationship was friendly as between commanding officer and trooper? —Quite so. We had a little freedom because he preferred going out with old active service men. 103. In recommendations be made as to merit of any particular individual he would not consult you about it ?■—Certainly not. 104. Would it be likely that you would hear of it?—lt would be soon over the camp if any one had been mentioned. 105. Is it not a fact that at times, in despatches and letters which were sent by the commanding officer, certain names were honourably mentioned, but the members of the troop knew nothing about it until some time afterwards ?—I never beam of it. 106. You are aware the New Zealand Cross was not instituted until 1869?— Quite correct. They keep records of any acts of bravery. 107. You have stated in your declaration, " If Mr. Wrigg had performed any act of service above the common, our commanding officer, Major St. John, would no doubt have recorded the fact at the time and reported the matter to the proper authorities." Would you swear he did not?— Not being his secretary, I could not swear that. 108. Are you prepared to state that he never did ? —I could not swear it. 109. When you speak of the words "carrying despatches" you mean actually carrying despatches—carrying the documents themselves from one commanding officer to another?— Quite so. 110. What do you mean by putting it on paper that Trooper McDonald carried the despatches when you do not know who did ?—We were told in camp that McDonald was going away with despatches, and that Wrigg was going with him. 111. You have made a declaration that the man who carried the despatches on this occasion was McDonald ?—Quite correct. 112. What do you mean by swearing that?— Because we heard he went away. 113. Do you not think it would have been the honest way to have said, " I heard he carried the despatches," instead of saying he carried it, and not Wrigg?—l call that splitting straws.