I.—2b,

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291. Do you remember the day the expedition went out to bring in the bodies of Moore and Beggs ?—Yes. H92. Where were you on that day ? —I was on the beach. 293. During what hours?—l could not say the exact time. It was in the afternoon when we got into camp. 294. Would you be there in the morning of that day—on the beach, 1 mean !— les. At what hour would you start to go down on patrol?—l could not say. It was some time after breakfast, and we came back after dinner. 296. At the time you started for patrol duty on that day, had the expedition started which brought in the bodies of Moore and Begg?—We knew nothing of it until we came in. 297. Are you satisfied that the expedition started between the interval of your going out and coming in? —Yes. 298. And you were on the beach all the time ?—Yes. 299. Did Cornet Wrigg and Trooper McDonald return along the beach that forenoon? —No. 300. Would you have seen them had they come down ?—Yes. 301. There would have been no escaping your observation?— No. 302. You remained, I suppose, at Opotiki for some time after these occurrences ?—Yes. 1 think it was in the beginning of 1869 that I left. 303. Did you hear of any act of conspicuous bravery performed by Wngg in carrying despatches between Opotiki and Tauranga ?—No. 304. Mr. Wilford.] You told us you went to Major St. John for the purpose of seeing if you could carry these despatches to Tauranga?—Yes. 305. But Major St. John told you he had got two orderlies, and therefore the matter was out ofhishande? —Yes. , . 306. Did he tell you he had got the two orderlies—he had applied to Captain Gwynnetn for two orderlies, and Captain Gwynneth had got these two orderlies for him ?—Yes. 307. These two orderlies were Wrigg and McDonald ?—Yes. 308. And Wrigg was the senior to McDonald in the troop, was he not? —Yes, he was superior to him. 309. Wrigg was a cornet, McDonald a trooper ?—Yes. 310. Then, were the two orderlies picked by Captain Gwynneth, in connection with Major St. John's application.for two orderlies?— Yes. 311. Was it usual for cornets to carry despatches?— No. 312. Is it not usual that if a cornet was put up to carry despatches that the trooper might have control of the packet, though the cornet would be with him ?—I never heard said of a cornet carrying despatches. Ido not say they do not do so. 313 You were not a regular attendant at parade ?—I was not paid. 314! You were not the worst, but not the best ?—lf there was any work to be done, I was generally there. 315. There were parades that you missed?— Very few, if any. 316. You have told Mr. Hutchison you were not a regular attendant?—Of course, I was busy working all the time. 317. You were generally at parade, but not always ?—Not always. Then, it is possible volunteers were called for by Gwynneth and you were not there?—lf it had happened I should certainly have heard of it. 319. You heard from some of the members of the troop afterwards ?—Yes. 320 When Wrigg swears that Captain Gwynneth, in accordance with the order from Major St. John, called for volunteers, and that he (Wrigg) stepped forward and offered to carry the despatches, are you prepared to deny that on oath ?—I am hardly clear on that subject. 321. When Mr. Wrigg has sworn that Captain Gwynneth called for volunteers to carry despatches to Tauranga, and that he (Wrigg) volunteered to carry them, and taking into consideration ohat you knew Major St. John wanted Captain Gwynneth to get volunteers, will you swear that that never occurred ?—I am not certain about swearing. I was not on parade ; but there was never a word about it, because if there had been there would have been two troopers instead of the 322. If volunteers are called for from a corps, or from a troop, that means any one who is ready to go, not necessarily the troopers alone?—l am not quite clear, but if any volunteers had been called fox .there would not have been only two troopers, but a lot more would have stepped out. 323. You do not remember any such circumstance ? —No. 324! Mr. Wrigg tells us the circumstance occurred, and you are not prepared to contradict him, because it is possible you were not on parade when that did occur? —It is my opinion there was no parade at the time. Orderlies were toW off to go. 325. How were they (Wrigg and McDonald) told off ?—They were told off privately. 326. Why ? Because his (McDonald's) brother-in-law had a store or canteen, and wanted him to transact business. . . 327. Why would Gwynneth pick on him ? —Because it was " cut and dried between them. 328. Do you suggest favouritism by the captain of your corps ?—Yes. 329. You know that Captain Gwynneth took an action for defamation of character, and got damages against St. John ?—I could not remember that. >■ _ 330. Do you not remember that he took an action against Major St. John for defamation of character, and got damages?—l know there was some bobbery amongst them, but I never kept that in mv mind. The only things lam clear on are things I was actually in. 331. You said it was arranged that Wrigg and McDonald should carry despatches to Tauranga? —Yes. 332. You hare no doubt about that?— No.