D.—No. 9,

PROCEEDINGS OE A BOARD OF INQUIRY INTO CHARGES AGAINST INSPECTOR HUNTER, A.C.

Extract from District Orders. Patea, Bth August, 1868. A Board of Officers will assemble at Waihi on Monday next, the 10th instant, to inquire into and report on certain alleged charges made against Inspector Hunter, Armed Constabulary, in accordance with sections 21, 22, and 23, Armed Constabulary Act. President—Captain A. M. A. Page, Wellington Rangers. Members —Sub-Inspector D. M. Brown, Armed Constabulary ; Captain Buck, V.M. The Adjutant and all evidences will be directed to attend the Board. By order, G. Cumming, Captain, Adjutant P.M. District.

Memorandum for the guidance of the Board of Officers ordered to assemble at Waihi, on Monday, 10th August, 1868. The Board is convened under the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd clauses of the Armed Constabulary Act, to take evidence on oath, and report on the conduct of Inspector Hunter, Armed Constabulary, on the morning of the 12th July last, when the redoubt at Turu Turu Mokai was attacked by rebel Natives. Many conflicting reports having been circulated in Patea and elsewhere relative to the delay in despatching the mounted men from Waihi to the relief of Turu Turu Mokai when attacked, and reflecting on the character of Inspector Hunter as an officer, the written statements of Senior-Sergeant Anderson and Sergeant Bennett were called for, copies of which will be laid before the Board; and it will be their duty, after receiving such evidence as may be brought before it by the Adjutant of the force, to report their opinion as to whether there was any unnecessary delay in sending the troopers to the assistance of the detachment at Turu Turu Mokai, when attacked on the 12th ultimo; and if so, was Inspector Hunter the cause of such delay? The Board will, of course, receive the evidence of any persons Inspector Hunter may wish to bring forw rard, and also any statements he himself may wish to make; the latter cannot be received on oath. Thos. McDonnell, Lieut.-Colonel Commanding Patea Eield Eorce.

Proceedings of a Board of Officers, assembled at Camp Waihi, on the 10th day of August, 1868, by order of Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, Commanding Patea District, bearing date the Bth day of August, 1868, to inquire into and report on certain alleged charges against Inspector Hunter, Armed Constabulary, in accordance with sections 21, 22, and 23 " Armed Constabulary Act, 1867." President —Captain A. M. A. Page, Wellington Rangers. Members —Sub-Inspector D. M. Brown, Armed Constabulary; Captain Buck, V.M. The Bpard having met pursuant to order, proceeded to take evidence. The order for the assembling of the Board having been produced and read, the following question was put: — The Board.~\ Inspector Hunter, Armed Constabulary, do you object to the President or either of the Members inquiring into and reporting on certain alleged charges against you ? —Legally, I object to it, as section 21, Armed Constabulary Act, states that every member of any Board appointed under this Act to inquire into the conduct of an officer of the Armed Constabulary shall be of equal or superior rank to the officer whose conduct is so to be inquired into ; but, as I wish to throw no impediment in the way, I waive my right to bo tried by officers of my own rank, particularly as I recognize the competency of tho officers composing the Board. Senior Sergeant William Anderson, A.C., being duly sworn, states: I received in Patea an order from Captain Cumming to make any statement, in connection with the attack on Turu Turu Mokai, on the 12th July. I made the following statement, which I repeat to-day : —I was acting sergeant-major at Camp Waihi on the morning of the 12th July. About 6.30 a.m., I was called by the corporal of the guard, who told me there was heavy firing in the direction of Turu Turu Mokai. 1 sent him to call the commanding officer (Major Yon Tempsky), and then went on the parade ground. A short time after, Major Yon Tempsky came out and asked me where the firing was. I pointed out to him the flashes of the guns. He ordered No. 5 Division to fall in, and sent me to Inspector Hunter to say he was going away himself, and Major Hunter was to take command. I called Major Hunter, and gave him the order. Major Hunter told me to tell Major Yon Tempsky that "it was all right; that he was not going to turn out of bed." I asked Major Hunter if I might saddle up ; ho said I might do so. I gave the order to the mounted portion of No. 3 Division to saddle up and mount. When we were mounted, Lance-Corporal Cobbe came into camp, and told me that the garrison at Turu Turu Mokai was surrounded and the greater portion killed, and that some of the wounded men were on their way to this camp. I went to Inspector Hunter again, with a request that some men, with Sergeant Bennett, might be sent to assist any wounded there might be on the road. The request was refused, and I was told the men were to remain where they were. The troopers remained mounted for some time.