67

I.—2d

114. Call it what you like Perhaps the words of the declaration are Mr. Hutchison's and not yours ?—Oh, no ; I went through that typewritten declaration, and was satisfied with it, and would have struck anything wrong out of it. 115. It is not a fact that you wore reckless, then?— No. 116. You cannot, say you saw Trooper McDonald carry despatches ?—I know he volunteered to go. He went to the officer commanding when he heard there wore despatches to go to Tauranga ; and there was a row because he was favoured. 117. You say Trooper McDonald wont to the commanding officer and volunteered to go?—lie heard there were despatches, and he went and asked to be favoured. 118. How do you know that?— Because it was the talk of the camp. 119. You mean he did not volunteer on parade to go ?—Oh, no. 120. You know that Gornet Wrigg accompanied him ?—Of course he did. 121. Will you tell me whether these despatches were to be carried up to Major: Mair? —To Tauranga, I think. 122. Will you tell me whether any despatches were to be carried to Major Mair?—l cannot say. 123. You have made a declaration that the man who carried the despatches was Trooper McDonald, and Wrigg merely accompanied him ?—Quite correct. 124. Do you mean to say, " I heard Trooper McDonald carried the despatches " ? Is not that really it ?—All I know is what was reported in camp. I never heard the camp orders read out. 125. Am I right in saying you heard Trooper McDonald first carried the despatches, and that you stated in the declaration that he did carry them ? —Yes. 126. How do you know he went with the despatches?— Simply because it was commonly talked of in camp. More than one was annoyed that he should have been picked upon. 127. You are not prepared to swear that Wrigg did not have those despatches ?—Quito so. 128. And the mere carrying of the paper does not introduce any extra element of danger?— Not any difference. That particular place was kept open by the troop. 129. Did you know George Leaning?—A storekeeper? 130. Yes?—l did. 131. Do you remember him being at Opotiki at the time ?—Yes. He was in Thomas Wrigley's store. He was in the store, tind Sergeant Davis was in the troop. 132. They went into partnership afterwards ?—I could not tell you. 133. Would Leaning be allowed to take part in the doings of the troop in case of emergency ? —I do not think.he was in the troop. 134. Would he be allowed, in case of emergency, to go out and join the troop as a volunteer, as an honorary member?— The only honorary member I remember was William Kelly. 135. Do you mean to aay that was the only honorary member—William Kelly?—Oh, no. 136. What would you understand by " voluntary t> joper " —a man who could go forward in case of emergency to help the troop ?—A man who could use a sword and a carbine. 137. You referred to Mr. Wrigg as " Acting-Cornet Wrigg." What do you mean by that?— At the time I knew him he was only acting. 138. You told us you only knew Wrigg slightly? — Yes. 139. As far as you know, he was only in the corps two or three months?—A? far as I remember. 140. Would you be surprised to know he was there about ten months ? Do you remember ho was gazetted at the time Captain Gwynneth was gazetted? —I am not aware of that. 141. Did you know Mr. Wrigg personally yourself that you could remember?—l can just remember him. 142. Could you have recognised him if you met him in the street ?—I do not say I could. 143. Have you been approached by any of the petitioners in reference to this matter ?—No ; 1 have only just come from Goromandel. 144. When did you come ? —I arrived liore yosterday afternoon. 145. You have not been in communication with any of the others ? —No. 146. Has there been any communication with Mr. Hutchison—with any of the other petitioners 7—No. 147. Have you been in communication with a Mr. Lingard recently ?—What is he ? 148. He is an insurance agent ?—No. 149. Have you been in communication with Mr. Lingard?—l do not know the man. 150. Do you remember Colonel Lyon ?—I knew him very well. 151. Do you know Mr. Wrigg received the New Zealand War Medal from him ?—I waa not aware of that. 152. Were you aware that he received the New Zealand War Medal under Colonel Lyon for services rendered at Wairoa and Papakura?—l never heard of it. 153. What, did you not know Mr. Wrigg had received the New Zealand War Medal?— No. 154. You were not aware until this moment that Mr. Wrigg was a New Zealand War Modal man as well?—I did not get my medal until I had left. I think I got mine in 1883. It camo to Coromandel to me. 155. You did not know Mr. Wrigg was a man who had also received the New Zealand War Medal?— No. 156. Mr. Hutchison.] I want you to listen to this declaration, and say whether it is absolutely correct or not: "I, Arthur Steele Ford, of Coromaudel, in the Provincial District of Auckland, miner and engineer, do solemnly and sincerely declare that I was the second man to enrol as a member of the Bay of Plenty Cavalry corps, and am familiar with the names of those who distinguished themselves by acts of bravery, but I declare I never heard the name of Mr. Wrigg mentioned as having done anything out of the common. As a matter of fact, he was only in the