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67. Did all your men go too?— All, with the exception of a guard left at the gate. 68. Who were they?—A sergeant and two men. 69. Can you give me the sergeant's name? —It would be Sergeant Sorenson. 70. Had you only two sergeants ? —Yes, there are only two in the corps. 71. Who was Sergeant Rankin ?—He used to belong to the Manawatu Rifles, but left about six months ago. 72. When did he get his discharge?—At the time, or about the time. Colonel Penton questioned me about that on the morning he came to the camp to speak about the procession. He said Sergeant Rankin was there in uniform, and gave his name as a member of the Manawatu corps. I said he would not do that, because he left quite six or eight months ago. I think it is pretty well known how he was here, and why. 73. Can you tell us ?—He lent his horse to Major Hall, of the Palmerston North Rifles, and he came down to look after his own horse, coming, of course, in uniform to get a free ticket. 74. He came down here as a groom to Major Hall in a sergeant's uniform, which he had no right to wear?— Yes. That was mentioned on the morning of the parade after the procession, and Colonel Penton turned to Major Madocks and said, " You take a note of that." 75. Did you know he was travelling down to do this ? —No; I had no idea that Rankin was coming in uniform, and I do not know how he got it. 76. You had no knowledge until later that he travelled in uniform ?—-No ; he did not come down in the same train that we did. 77. When did you first hear about this ?—When Colonel Penton said that one of my men's names was taken as being in the procession. I immediately asked him the name, and he said he was a sergeant. I knew that was impossible, because I knew where my sergeants were. He then said it was Rankin, and I told him he had left the corps some months ago. 78. Where was Major Hall camped?—At Mount Cook School. 79. Was Rankin with you ?—No. 80. You did not see him in uniform at that time ?—No. 81. And never heard of it at the time? —No; I do not think any of our men knew he was down. We came into Wellington by an early train, and the others came down later. 82. Do you know that he travelled in uniform?—l am almost sure he did. He went through to Christchurch afterwards in uniform. 83. Did you see him in uniform in Christchurch ?—Yes; and he returned by the boat in uniform —I believe, in the saloon. . 84. The Chairman.] Did you not check him?— What could Ido ? He had no other clothes with him. It was too late then. 85. It was not too late to lay an information ?—After what Colonel Penton said I thought it was quite sufficient. Colonel Penton told Major Madocks to make inquiries as to whether this was so. 86. You know nothing more of that procession ? —No, I know nothing of that, because we were away from town. 87. Were you present next morning when Colonel Penton mustered the troops ?—Yes. 88. Can you tell us what happened ?—I do not exactly remember the words he used, but the report which appeared in the Evening Post was a correct one. The colonel ordered the reporter away after he had finished his remarks, but it was too late then. 89. It is stated that Colonel Penton called certain people cowardly ; whom did he refer to ?— He referred to those men who were guilty and would not own up. He did not refer to the whole of the men, but only to those who were shielding themselves at the expense of other people. I have not the slightest doubt of that —he did not refer to the whole of us. 90. Major Hawkins.] How many corps were there in camp when you arrived there with your company? —I think there were only two or three when we got in. 91. Then how do you account for the shortage of tents for your men? —The colonel informed me there would be a certain number of tents. I suppose he knew the number of men that were coming into camp and prepared accordingly. 92. Did you prepare a marching-instate?— Yes. 93. Was it raining then ?—No. 94. How long after you got into camp was it before it commenced to rain heavily ?—lt was showery immediately after we reached camp. On the Saturday there was a good deal of rain, I think. On Sunday morning it was very bad. 95. Do you think that if, immediately after your arrival at the camp, steps had been taken to put up fair shelter for the cooks, the cause for grumbling would have been very much minimised ? —Yes, undoubtedly. I think the cooks were doing their best. They were undermanned, but it was mainly caused by the men being exposed to the weather. It was simply impossible to cook there. 96. On arrival in camp did you make yourself conversant with the arrangements by getting a copy of the orders ? —I did, as far as I possibly could. There were no copies to be obtained at that time. Certain orders came out, but Ido not remember what they were. There were orders, but they were not very clear. 97. Were you in charge of that battalion of four companies temporarily, or had you any right to be in charge ?—I have no right, but lam the senior. 98. Therefore, you are the next for appointment as commanding officer to that particular battalion ?—The battalion is formed, but no appointment has been made yet. 99. Have those corps been long enough in existence to have the staff appointed?— Yes, they have all earned last year's capitation, I understand. Of course, I had nothing to do with them until I reached camp that night. I was only appointed temporarily for this particular camp.