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to the captains of the companies, volunteer or otherwise, and a camp order such ns this-would he issued by the captains of tin; companies? No. Tim officer commanding would give the camp order —a certain number of men to perform a certain duty, 11 o would give that detail to the adjutant, and then the adjutant would communicate with die captains of the different compatriot*, who would mention the men by name. 180. Different corps?--Yes. 181. But this has often occurred: Instead of detailing men, the officer commanding, or someone detailed by him, would notify that volunteers were wanted for such and such a date?— Yes, and on these occasions there was always a scramble amongst the men to get to Tauranga. 182. The Chairman.} This is the canip minute-hook. Do you not notice a striking similarity between the signatures of Captain Gwynneth in half a dozen places, and his signature attached to this camp order. Just look carefully at them and see?— Certainly there is. It is either genuine or it is a very clever copy. 183. Then you are of opinion that the signature on the camp order is identical with that in the minute-book ?—I have not said that. There is a wide difference between these two, for instance. 184. You can notice a difference here on this one, cannot you ?—Yes. 185. Then turn over the leaf to this one. These three signatures are by the one man. You see the turn of the "J " which is a peculiarity?— Yes. 186. Mr. Lewis.) Do you know Captain Gwynneth's writing apart from his signature?— Yes. His signature and handwriting were generally the same. I have lots of his letters. 187. We are told that that is his writing on the back of the camp order, and he always backhanded his signature and made it entirely different?—l certainly would not swear to that. 188. The Chairman.} This is a despatch from Captain Gwynneth. You will notice that thf signature attached to this despatch is identical with that attached to the camp order ?—Yes. There is a very strong resemblance. 189. Mr. Hutchison.} You hold the New Zealand Cross, Captain Mair?— Yes. Sir Akthur P. Douglas recalled and examined. 190. Mr. Hutchison.} You are on your former oath, Major Douglas. You have found, have you not, an original despatch from Major St. John ? —Yes. The Chairman: I will ask the clerk to read that original despatch. [Despatch read ; exhibit No. 32.] 191. Mr. Hutchison.} You have another from Major Mair?—l produced all the despatches that I could trace, after a personal search.* 192. Will you produce a letter and say whether it is a copy of the letter from the Defence Minister written by Sir Arthur Douglas and put in on a petition this session with reference to the New Zealand Cross?—l believe that is a copy of one I sent in. The Chairman : I will ask the clerk to read that letter. [Letter read and put in ; exhibit No. 33.] 193. Mr. Wilford,} You will allow me to ask Mr. Wrigg two questions, Mr. Chairman ?—Yes. Mr. H. C. W. Wrigg recalled and examined. 194. Mr. Wilford.} Mr. Wrigg, Mr. McCullough stated that you showed him the camp order. You showed him, also, a blue paper which ho believed was stamped. Will you clear that matter up?— There were several copies made of these papers accompanying the camp order, and, if I recollect aright, there were one or two done upon the blue paper. There were no stamped copies. 195. Mr. McCullough may "have seen a copy on blue paper, but not on blue stamped paper?— Yes. 196. Major Mair stated in his evidence that lie and Captain Gwynneth were good friends, ami that he used to visit the; house occasionally. [In question 575, page 32.] I believe you lodged with Captain Gwynneth? —Yes, the whole time I was at Opotiki. 197. During that period did you over see Major Mair dining at the house? —No, never. lam sure he never did. 198. Was he a friend of Captain Gwynneth's? —Not that I know of. 199. Major Mair said that he had never seen you before? —Yes. 200. Had you.seen him frequently? —Yes; we used to travel on the boats together, morning and evening. 201. You used to travel with him ? : —Yes. The Chairman : That closes the evidence, gentlemen.

• Desj»tches between 28th June, 1867, and 11th S«pteml>ei\ 18117, N'os. 07/305fl au.l 07/8062, caunot be traced.

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