I.—2b.

674. What is the distance between Opotiki and Whakatane ?—From Opotiki to Ohiwa it is about seven or eight miles, and about eight miles from Ohiwa to Whakatane; but there was a Native settlement two miles and a half before you reached Whakatane. There is a friendly settlement there: That is the spot where the bodies were picked up. 675. The mention of that order to carry rations was altogether unnecessary?—l have never heard of a case of men being required to carry rations on that journey. (376. The Chairman.] For how long was Trooper McDonald in your company when he handed you the despatches?—l imagine he would simply give mo the despatches and get his horse, if he was not mounted. I can only recollect his giving me the despatches. 677. You were going south and he north?—We did not moot on a road, but at a settlement. He had apparently just arrived. r>7B. Will you look at the signature on this [camp order, signed by Captain Gwynnetb, produced] ? Are you in possession of any correspondence from the officer who signs that, so that you might be able"to compare the signature?—l cannot say anything about Captain Gwynneth's signature. 679. You have no knowledge ?—I have seen it. I dare say I have specimens of his writing in my possession. 680. Are you of opinion that the signature attached to that document is genuine, compared with the signature attached to the minute-book ?—I cannot say that it is not Captain Gwynneth's signature. 681. Mr. Wil.ford.] Is it not like the signature in the book?—lt is like the signature in the 'wok. 682. Tlw Chairman.] You are not in possession of any correspondence by which you could certify to the signature of Captain Gwynneth ?—No. 683. Mr. Morrison.] In the course of your evidence, Major Mair, this afternoon you said that you knew Captain Percival very well—that he had held a position of clerk under you for some considerable time ?—Yes. 684. You were in the habit of spending your evenings together ?—Yes. 685. Chatting over bygone days, I suppose ?—Yes. 686. You said in all the conversations you have had with Captain Percival this little incident that occurred at Opotiki never cropped up ? —No. 687. You were on the most intimate relations with him?— Yes. 688. According to his certificate here we find he has occupied a position in the Imperial army ? —Yes. 689. You never knew that ?—No. 690. Your relations have not been so confidential as you led us to believe ?—I was not so fully in his confidence, if you put it that way. I had no idea that he had ever been in the imperial service. 691. Mr. Monk.] Except that you see it stated in that letter you do not feel yourself thoroughly convinced that he ever was in the Imperial army?— No. 69i2. Mr. Field.] With reference to Captain Percival. Captain Percival was paymaster?— Yes. 693. Where would his headquarters be? —He used to pay the men all up the East Coast as far as Tauranga. His headquarters were, I think, at Napier. 69-1. Not at Opotiki?—No. 695. Can you call to mind as to whether or not Captain Percival was at Opotiki about the time that Bennett White was murdered ? —I am confident he was not there at that time. 696. Then, he cannot have been an eye-witness to this action of carrying despatches ?—I cannot speak of my own knowledge. Tuesday, 4tß October, IS9B. The Chairman : Gentlemen, we will now resume the inquiry on the petition of William James Baven and others re the conferring of the New Zealand Cross on Mr. Harrj Wrigg. Have you any witnesses to examine this morning, Mr. Hutchison ? Mr. Hutchison: Yes. I will call Captain Turner. Captain Turner sworn and examined. 1. Mr. Hutchison.] What is your Christian name, Captain Turner ?—Archibald Campbell Turner. 2. You are in the Survey Department, Wellington ?—Yes. 3. In 1867, in the month of June, were you living *t Opotiki or in the district ?—No ; I was at Tauranga at the time. 4. Id June, 1867 ?—About that time I was there. 5. About the time of the murder of Bennett White and the mailman on the beach ?—I was at Maketu the day the body of the Maori mailman was brought in—Wi Popata. 6. You had been in the district some time before, and continued in the district for some time after, I believe ?—Yes. 7. Were you familiar with the road between Tauranga and Opotiki ?—Yes. I travelled it many a time. 8. The road ran, we are told, from Opotiki to Tauranga along the beach ?—Yes, except at Whakatane, where it deviated inland for a mile or two. I used to keep to the beach generally from Opotiki to Ohiwa.

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