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stated in the troop at the time, when yourself and McDonald started to carry the despatches, that the odds were three to one you would never be seen again ? —Yes. 257. Mr. Field.] Among other letters there is one from Captain W. H. Percival ?■—Yes. 258. Was he actually there when you carried these despatches ?—He was in the district, of course. 259. Was he in Opotiki ? —I cannot say if he was there on the day; but I believe he was there. 260. You got a similar letter from Mr. George H. Leaning. Was he there ?—Yes; a storekeeper. 261. You stated you wrote that camp order yourself. Did you write that camp order after or before you carried the despatches ?—Of course I wrote it before I carried the despatches. They bear the water-mark-. 262. They got their water-mark during that ride ?—Yes. 263. You also stated that you were net intimately acquainted with Captain Bower. The tone of the letters from him, and yours to him, hardly bear that out ?—He was an old trooper, as I was. Old troopers always lean together. Though he was a clergyman's son, he was a trooper himself. 264. You say he passed himself as being one of the survivors at the Balaclava charge?— Yes. 265. Mr. O'Meara.] How many Volunteers were present when this call was made ?—The troop. 266. How many were in the troop?— About thirty-two. 267. After you returned did you look upon this ride as hazardous and heroic ?—Yes. 268. You simply had a drink with your comrades after this ride ?—Yes. 269. What was done immediately on your return ?—Colonel St. John said, •' Wrigg, how did you get on? Did you receive any newspaper correspondents ? " Hβ said, "It was the first thing you ought to have done—to get your name into print right away." 270. Mr. Moore.] Have you got a copy of the letter you received from your captain asking you to send in your resignation ?—No; he gave me a hint. 271. I understand you said you were in Southland when you received a letter from your captain asking you to resign because some one else in the corps wanted your position. Can, you S>roduce that letter?—No, it is thirty years ago. He recommended me to resign because other ellows were jealous. 272. Did a copy of the letter cover a copy of the resolution passed by the corps ?—No. 273. When you returned from your ride of eighty to ninety miles, you say yon had to be virtually carried out of your saddle ?—Yes. 274. Immediately afterwards you rode out to search for other bodies ?—Yes. 275. Did you ride out under orders from the officer in command ?—My reminiscence -is this: We were having a bottle of porter. I was so scarred and wounded from the leather breeches that I could not get into the saddle. 276. Yet you immediately mounted and rode out six or seven miles to look for bodies? Yes. 277. The bugle was sounded and you had to go?— Yes. 278. In the reply that you received from Judge Wilson refusing to give you a certificate, did you get it in the shape of a letter ?—lt was merely saying that he was not in the district at the time. 279. Did you get the reply in writing? Could you produce the letter?— No. 280. Captain Bower, in his letter, states you returned the next day?— That is a mistake. When I went into camp in Tauranga, he means to say I returned the next day from Tauranga. 281. Captain Bower is wrong and you are right ?—Yes. 282. You camped neither going nor coming on the road?—Wβ camped only once. 283. Mr. Lewis.] Iα whose handwriting is this extract from camp orders, dated Opotiki, 28tb June, 1867 ?—Captain Gwynneth'e. The front is mine, on the back is his. 284. Mr. Moore.] Have you any other documents in the officer's handwriting?— No. the captain always backhanded his signature, 285. Mr. Hutchison.] Were you at any time during the parade or ride to Tauranga in practically any fear ?—No. 286. You have spoken of a Mr. Price, I think, in the Government Buildings, to whom you had mentioned your claim. Were these gentlemen also working with you in the same Buildings A. C.F.Koch?—Yes. 287. C. F. Sushbrook? —No, not in the Buildings ; he was working in the same department 288. Mr. Pierard ?—Yes. 289. And while in Wellington you were acquainted with Mr. Beere, surveyor, and had talked with him about the war?— No. I did noS carry it on my sleeve. 290. You know Mr. Beere ?—Yes. 291. Captain Turner—he was in the district at the fime ?-—He is an old friend of mine. 292. He was working with you in the same department?— Yes. Captain Maubice Noeman Boweb sworn and examined. 293. Mr. Hutchison.] What is your full name, Captain Bower ?— Maurice Norman Bower 294. You are now Town Clerk at Napier ?—Yes. 295. In 1867 you were on duty at Opotiki ?—Yes. 296. What was your position ?—I was district adjutant. 297. Who was in command of the district ?—Colonel St. John j I think he was only Major St. John then. 298. You kpew Mr. Wrigg then in Opotiki ?—Yes. 299. He told us he was an assistant in Captain Gwynneth's office ?—Yes,