17

I.—2b

43. If the cavalry were ordered out for the purpose of calling for volunteers to carry despatches it would not be unusual if you- happened to b<. there? The uoop would have its own job without the foot being called ?—Quite possibly. 44. Quite possibly volunteers were called for without any knowledge to yourself, as volunteers were only called from the mounted corps, not from the foot corps?—]t is possibly so. 45. In those days, where danger was threatening you constantly, from the position you were occupying at Opotiki, you would not have considered the mere fact oi men volunteering to ride to Tauranga, as a matter worthy of exceptional notice ?—No, because it was continually done. I was up and down the beach myself very often. 46. As far as Tauranga ?—As "far as Whakatane. 47. By.yourself ?—Yes. • • 48. How long before ?—Some weeks before. 49. The calling for volunteers was almost, the day after the bodies were found ?—I do not know. 50. You remember two men going?— The going of the two men was almost directly after finding the bodies. I think it was the next day. 51. That would be at a time when the hostility of the Natives was plainly shown?—l think so. 52. You admit plainly it was a time, no doubt, of danger, because these men lost their lives?—Yes. 53. While you were there with the corps how many would there be with you—fifty or sixty ?— I think there would be nearly a hundred men. 54. I suppose the company—would you call it the company or the corps ?—I would call it the company. 55. They were called an expedition in those days. I suppose the expedition would march out in the manner you would march out, in squads—single file, or what?—We would leave the township fours deep and then stroll out or inarch at ease. 56. And a body of 100 men walking out in that way would probably be able to be seen for a distance by any one on the look-out ?—Yes. 57. And especially their movements. In order to save detection they would get into ambush there. There was plenty of ambush along there and places for hiding ?—Yes, along the sandhills. £8. Did you simply march to Opotiki and take a general survey of the locality, or was a search made of the ground ?—We marched to Ohiwa, and were ordered to fall in there, and the guard was selected. And we camped ; and then, I believe, they did search the place at 9 o'clock at night. Some of the men were told off to search in the dark. As far as I remember it was a dull night, showery, but moonlight. 59. How far they went you do not know ?—No. 60. Or what area of ground covered you do not know ?—No. 61. You returned in the morning, did you not?—We came back next day, but saw no sign of the Naiives. 62. You had seen evidence that they had been there ?—They found the cwo heads cut off. 63. When you, say, as you stated a few moments ago to Mr. Hutchison, that the Natives had dispersed, I might alter that by saying the Natives were not in view, but may have been in the locality hiding?—Qf course, that is possible. 64. You said, \n answer to Mr. Hutchison, that you heard of no particular act of heroism in connection with the ride ?—That is so. 65. And you further said that any acts of heroism were generally read out on parade next day ? —Yes. 66. Would the act of heroism be read out by the commanding officer of the whole of the district?—Yes. 67. And was it usual for the foot arid mounted corps to parade at the same time?—lt was not usual. 68. It is a different order to command, of course?— Yes. 69. Then it would be quite possible that such an act as the act that Mr. Wrigg claims may have been read out on parade to mounted corps without your knowledge?—l do not think it is possible. 70. You know the rivers in that part of the district?— Fairly well. 71. I ask you were the banks of the rivers wooded, and would they afford any ambush tor Natives at night ?' . Parts.x>f the river along your course to go to .Tauranga ?—I do not remember any wooded ptirtß. Bluffs came out just before you came to the Ohiwa Kiver. 72. It was a dangerous place to pass, and a place where a man could not protect himself if any one was hiding there?— Not well. I could describe it as a place where there would be great peril in passing, then?—l dojiot think so. 74. Now, you look at it in! an advantageous place ?—I look at it in your own description. 75. You say blufis carae down, and so it was dangerous in passing?—Of course, they could shoot you there. 76. Without you having any chance of defending yourself ? —Not much. 77. And this place would have to be passed by the two mounted men who went to Tauranga with despatches ? There is no other way ?—That is so. 78. Is the distance correctly st»,ted as being about eigluy aiiles to Taurauga ?—Between seventy and eighty. 79. And in those days was it a good ride to have accomplished it in three days, there and back?—A fairly good ride. I did it once, and spent the whole day in Tauranga.

3—l. 2b.