H.—l9a

40

144. You do not know who the men were ? —No; but I heard that very few took part in it at the start, and that they gathered strength as they went down town. 145. Can you tell us of any one who saw the procession start?—l might possibly be able to do so before the inquiry closes. I would like to say, as my character has been attacked, that I have had a pretty considerable experience with Volunteers. I have been a Volunteer myself for years. I organized a company once, and was a captain for two years. I had seven camps to attend to, and I was really surprised after the camp was over that there was so little complaint in connection with the last one, taking into consideration the amount of excitement at the time and the bad weather that prevailed. Captain Henry Alfred Lomax examined. (No. 15.) 146. The Chairman.] What' is your official position ?—Staff Adjutant of the Wellington District. 147. How long have you held that post? —From the 13th December of last year. 148. What had you to do with the pitching of the Newtown Park camp ?—Nothing. 149. You visited it ?—No, I never visited it during the the Duke of York's visit. I never went up to the camp. 150. Did you not visit it with Mr. McParland ?—No. I never went up to the camp while the Volunteers were there. 151. Then, I take it you never had any conversation with him about the construction of the kitchens ?—No. I never went to the Newtown Park camp at all. 152. What have you to say to Mr. MeParland's evidence [evidence read from shorthand notes taken at Mr. MeParland's examination] ?—I can only repeat that I did not go to the Newtown Park .camp. I think I can see where he has made a mistake. I was instructed by Colonel Newall to go round all the schools set aside for the reception of Volunteers with Mr. McParland, for the purpose of showing him where the cooking-places should be located, in order that there should be no danger from fire to the adjoining buildings. I think he has confused that with Newtown Park. 153. But the Seventh Contingent was never at any of the schools, and he mentions a conversation he had with you about the Seventh Contingent at the park ? —I think he is confounding the two. 154. Why did you not go to Newtown Park if you went to the other places ?—I was only instructed to go to the schools. 155. Colonel Davies.] You went round the schools to see that he did not put the cookingplaces where they might be dangerous?— Yes. 156. And you did not go to Newtown Park because there was no danger of any adjoining buildings catching fire ?—Yes. 157. Who do you think went with Mr. McParland?—l do not know who went with him, but I know that I did not. 158. Have you any knowledge of any staff officer going round Newtown Park ?—I have an idea that it was Colonel Newall himself. 159. You know nothing about the camp at Newtown Park at all?—No, I never was there. I had no time to go there. 160. Did you see the disturbance in town ?—JSTo. Staff Serjeant-Major Healy recalled. (No. 16.) 161. The Chairman.] When you saw the procession, did you observe any officers near it ?— On my left, as I stood facing the shops, there were two officers standing on the footpath. They seemed to be going towards the Government Buildings, meeting the procession as they were going up. 161. Did they do anything?— They seemed to stand and enjoy the proceedings. 163. Do you know either of the officers ?—No. One was a captain and the other a lieutenant. They had field-caps on, and khaki uniforms. 164. Major Hawkins.] Did you notice whether they had spurs on? —They were infantry officers. 165. The Chairman.] You do not know who they were, and you say they seemed to be enjoying the proceedings? —Yes, so far as I could see. 166. Colonel Davies.] Do you know any of the civilians who were taking part in the affair?— No. 167. Was Sergeant Rankin in uniform?— Yes ; his overcoat was open. 168. You do not know of any civilians being in uniform that day?—No; I did not see them.

Friday, 9th August, 1901. James O'Sullivan examined. (No. 17.) 1. The Chairman.] You are Storekeeper for the New Zealand Defence Forces ? —Yes. 2. And you were so in June last, at the time of the Royal visit to Wellington?— Yes. 3. Do you remember the camp being pitched at Newtown Park for the mounted men? — Yes. 4. What cooking and camp utensils did you lend for that camp ?—The conditions of the contract were laid down. 5. Yes; but you were to lend such utensils as were available ?—Yes. I made a scale out to see if I had sufficient for what was required, and interviewed Colonel Newall with reference to the cooking utensils, according to scale. 6. With what result ? —That I had plenty.