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I.—2b

181. You were not deterred by that refusal?—No, I went on fighting. 182. Did you also ask Captain Bower to interview Hon. Mr. Carroll as he was passing through Napier ?—Yes. 183. You eventually were informed that you would receive the Cross ?—Yee. 184. Do you know any instance of any one getting the Cross after such an interval as thirty years ?—No, not after thirty years—but after twenty-three years, as in Colonel McDonnell's case. 185. Do you suggest that Colonel'McDonnell's name was not mentioned in despatches at the time of the act of bravery for which he got the Cross ?—I do not know anything about Colonel McDonnell. 186. Was your name mentioned in despatches about the time of your ride ?—I do not know. 187. Colonel St. John was afterwards in Wellington, where you also were?— Yes. 188. You had often opportunities of communicating with him I— Tee ; Colonel St. John was a great friend of mine. 189. How is it he never recommended you for the Cross ?—He offered to recommend me in 1871, and afterwards. 190. Where were you then ?—Here. 191. Was any one other than your two selves present?—He has mentioned it several times. I said I would not take it at the time, because I was very conservative. 192. Did you mention that to any of your friends, or to any one else ?—I did not mention it to any one that I can at present remember. 193. Did you discuss it with your friends or acquaintances ?< —l think the only man who can remember anything about it is Lieutenant Price, who was a lieutenant in the Royal Marines. He is now in the Government service. He distinctly recollects me talking about the Cross, and being entitled to the Cross, and suggesting I was entitled to the Cross. He is an old Marine officer who 'has Been active service. 194. Did you get a New Zealand War Medal ?—Yes. 195. When?—ln 1868. 196. That was for service in the Waikato ?—Yes. 197. On the recommendation of Colonel Lyon ?—Yes. 198. Do you remember a man named Ford as a trooper of the Bay of Plenty Volunteers— Arthur Steel Ford ?—No. 199. Do you remember the name of Mr. Albert Wood as a member of the corps ?—No. 200. Do you remember the name of Mr. John Forsyth Connolly as a member of the corps ?— I do not remember him as a member of the corps. 201. Do you remember Mr. Haselden at Opotiki in June, 1867 ?—No. 202. As a member of the Ist Waikato Military Settlers, do you remember that corps?—No; we used to call them the " first four hundred." 203. Do you remember Mr. Haselden ?—I do not remember him at all. 204. Mr. Wilford.] Mr. Wrigg, do you remember the letter dated the 9th March, 1898, you received from Captain Bower ?—Yes. 205. Was it a voluntary letter from him to you ?—Yes. 206. This letter was sent to you in Australia?—lt followed me to Australia. [Letter dated 9th March, 1898, put in—Exhibit No. 10.] Mr. Wilford: Mr. Chairman, I have another letter here, marked " Private," from Captain Bower, dated 29th June, 1898. I would like to put this one in ?—Yes. [Letter dated 29th June, 1898, put in—Exhibit No. 11.] 207. Mr. Wilford.] This ie from Captain Bower too. I believe on the 28th Jane, 1898, you wired to Captain Bower, Mr. Wrigg ?—Yes. Mr. Wilford: I want to suggest, Mr. Chairman, that it ought to be put in on oath that Sue is at? exact copy of the wire sent and received. Captain Boweb called. 208. Air. Wilford: I want to ask you, Captain Bower, if you have a telegram sent by Mr. Wrigg to you, and dated 28th June, 1898?— I have one on the 27th June. Yes, I remember receiving that telegram. [Telegram dated 28th June, 1898, and reply put in—Exhibit No. 12.] 209. Mr. Wilford.] Mr. Wrigg, I want you to describe to the Committee the road you took in travelling those eighty miles from Opctiki to Tauranga?—There were any amount of possible ambuscades. 210. Was it through forest country?—No; mostly along the beach. Of course, the most dangerous part, there is no doubt, was the first twenty mile 3. 211. Why was it the most dangerous part?— Because there were cliffs—places of cover which would be of advantage to any one wishing to make an ambuscade. 212. The rivers, yon say, were flooded at the time ?—Yes. 213. "Were the rivers very rapid?— Yes. 214. Were they wooded on the banks ?—Yes. 215. Would there be sufficient wood and fern to afford a cover to any hostile Natives ?—Yes, I think so. 216. 1 understood- you to say that the country was unknown to you ?—Yes. 217. Had you ever travelled from Opotiki to Tauranga before? Never. 218. You told us that you were accompanied by a trooper named McDonald ?—Yes. 219. Had he a knowledge of the country?— No. 220. From whom did you get your directions as to the route , ?—We had to be our own guides We had nothing to guide us, and had no previous knowledge.