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you to forward your certificate to me in enclosed stamped envelope, which includes registration. For this purpose I have enclosed the original order, which you will perceive bears the traces of. having crossed the rivers which were in flood. I think I had better refresh your memory as to how two came to volunteer. The evening we found Bennett White's body, on parade Colonel St. John asked for a volunteer to carry despatches to Tauranga, I immediately rode to the front and volunteered provided that I had a trooper, when Trooper McDonald volunteered. The rivers were in flood at fche season of year, and those we did not swim had to head until we got a ford, the risks, as you were aware, were great upon all sides. I have by this mail written to Judge Wilson of the Native Land Court, a fi'iend of mine, who you remember at Opotiki, for a certificate, as he was also there, and I know he will assist me; but of course yours as district adjutant would, as you may be) sure, be invaluable. Of course, if my companion were alive and I received the decoration he could apply, but I learned that he was either drowned or killed shortly after I left Opotiki. lam rather conservative iv my ideas, and though, under the circumstances and to meet the case, the signature above the district adjutant, as you suggest, would be better, but I should also say " Late 10th Hussars," a3 I know your antecedents and that you are a gentleman born, and as you must be aware are not the only gentleman youngster who has worn Her Majesty's livery as a trooper in a crack cavalry corps—take, for instance, year humble servant, I was a trooper in the 4th Dragoon Guards (guis separabit), and I only wish I had remained (only for my wife). If a man was a gentleman and rode straight he was bound to go up the ladder. It is only very lately I had a letter from a comrade who has retired as a major, and who wrote out for particulars as to the country, and'is thinking of bringing his family out, and he was a " gentleman trooper." ' From what I remember of you you were my ideal of a soldier. I met an old friend from Wellington the other day; he has Dot seen service, but I was telling him my case, and he advised me to apply at once, but said he thought I would have more chance if it was sent through a Veteran Giub or Society, and informed me there was one established in Wellington and Napier. Will you kindly give me your opinion upon the matter? Do you know of such a thing in Napier ; if so, would you kindly give me any hints as to procedure in such a case, i.e., how or to whom to forward, or would it be, better to send direct to Minister'? I would ask Sir Maurice O'Borke to see that it was not shelved. I know lam giving you a lot of trouble, but lam one that never forgets an obligation, and if I can at any time or in any way be of service you have only to command me. . . . Believe me, &c, Harry Wrigg. EXHIBIT No. 6. Deab Sib,— Napier, 24th July, 1897. In reply to your letter of the 16th instant, I have much pleasure in stating my recollection of what occurred at Opotiki when you volunteered to ride with despatches to Tauranga. When Bennett White was found murdered by hostile Natives, the late Colonel St. John, then commanding the district, called for volunteers to ride with despatches to Tauranga, when Cornet Wrigg, of the Bay of Plenty Volunteer Cavalry, at once rode to the front and said he would go if a trooper would accompany him : this a trooper, whose name I forget, volunteered to do, and the two were sent. Their service was most dangerous, their route being along the beach where Natives were known to be in force, and the rivers in flood. They reached Tauranga and returned from thence to Opotiki the next day, thus successfully completing an arduous and very dangerous duty. I remain, &c, M. N. Bower, Late District Adjutant, Opotiki. EXHIBIT No. 7. This is to certify that I was in Opotiki at the time Bennett White and the mailman were killed or the beach near that place, and when Cornet Wrigg volunteered to carry despatches to Tauranga. In volunteering for this duty Cornet Wrigg ran very considerable risk, not only from the hostile Natives, but also from the flooded state of the rivers, and I consider him fully entitled to the favourable consideration of the Hon. the Defence Minister in any application he may make for a recognition of such service. Leonard Simpson, IVTaketu, 2nd August, 1897. Late Captain, 2nd Waikato .Regiment. EXHIBIT No. 8. Sir, — " Normanby," Grattan Street, Melbourne, 4th August, 1897. Having served with the Expeditionary Field Force on the East Coast in 1865-67, I have the honour to state that I am fully aware of the valuable services performed by Cornet Harry Wrigg ori many occasions during the campaign, but more especially, at the time when Bennett White and others were massacred, his having volunteered to carry despatches, a very dangerous feat indeed, considering that the country between Opotiki and Tauranga was swarming with the enemy, arid, in my humble opinion, is entitled to the New Zealand Cross; in fact, this decoration has beer, bestowed for less bravery than that displayed by him. I have, &c, W. H. Peecival, Late H.M. 55th Begiment, and Captain Colonial Forces. Hon. the Minister of Defence, Wellington.