H.—3l.

Extract peom Camp Orders. 8.P.V.C., Opotiki, 28th June, 1867. Cohnet Wrigg and Trooper McDonald will proceed to-morrow to Tauranga with despatches to Colonel Harrington or officer commanding the district, and await his reply (if any), report themselves to him, and return with all speed, taking two days' rations with him. John Gwtnnbth, Captain Commanding B.P.V.C. True extract. —John Gwynneth, Captain B.P.V.C. Indorsement. ■Cornet Wrigg and Trooper McDonald volunteered for the service at a time of great danger, as the Natives were known to be in force in the vicinity, and the road they had to travel was that upon which Bennett White and the mailman had been murdered only the day previously, and abounding with every facility for ambuscades. On the evening immediately after their return from this duty—which was performed with credit to themselves—and whilst yet in the saddle, they accompanied and assisted me in a search for the bodies of Messrs. Moore and Beggs, who had been dragged from their dwellings into the bush and murdered by the Natives, in which search we were -successful in finding the bodies and bringing them into camp. John Gwynneth, 27th April, 1869. Late Captain Commanding B.P.V.C. Dear Sir,— Napier, 24th July, 1897. In reply to your letter of the 16th instant, I have much pleasure in stating my recollection of what occurred at Opotiki when you volunteered to ride with despatches to Tauranga. When Bennett White was found murdered by hostile Natives, the late Colonel St. John, then -commanding the district, called for volunteers to ride with despatches to Tauranga, when Cornet Wrigg, of the Bay of Plenty Volunteer Cavalry, at once rode to the front and said he would go if a trooper would accompany him : this a trooper, whose name I forget, volunteered to do, and the two were sent. Their service was most dangerous, their route being along the beach where Natives were known to be in force, and the rivers in flood. They reached Tauranga and returned from thence to Opotiki the next day, thus successfully completing an arduous and very dangerous duty. I remain, &c, M. W. Bower, Late District Adjutant, Opotiki. "Sir,— " Normanby," Grattan Street, Melbourne, 4th August, 1897. Having served with the Expeditionary Field Force on the East Coast in 1865-67, I have the honour to state that I am fully aware of the valuable services performed by Cornet Harry Wrigg on many occasions during the campaign, but more especially, at the time when Bennett White and others were massacred, his having volunteered to carry despatches, a very dangerous feat indeed, considering that the country between Opotiki and Tauranga was swarming with the •enemy, and, in my humble opinion, is entitled to the New Zealand Cross ; in fact, this decoration has been bestowed for less bravery than that displayed by him. I have, &c, W. H. Percival, Late H.M. 55th Eegiment, and Captain Colonial Forces. Hon. the Minister of Defence, Wellington. Wellesley Street East, Auckland, 18th August, 1897. I certify that I was a voluntary trooper in the Bay of Plenty Volunteer Cavalry when Bennett White and mailman were murdered, and when Cornet Wrigg stepped forward and volunteered to ■carry despatches in the disturbances of 1867 and 1868. . Geo. H. Leaning. This is to certify that I was in Opotiki at the time Bennett White and the mailman were killed on the beach near that place, and when Cornet Wrigg volunteered to carry despatches to Tauranga. In volunteering for this duty Cornet Wrigg ran very considerable risk, not only from the hostile Natives, but also from the flooded state of the rivers, and I consider him fully entitled to the favourable consideration of the Hon. the Defence Minister in any application he may make for .a recognition of such service. Leonard Simpson, Maketu, 2nd August, 1897. Late Captain, 2nd Waikato Eegiment. Sir, — Auckland, 3rd August, 1897. I have read and inquired into the circumstances connected with the services in the Waikato war of Mr. H. Wrigg, late cornet, Bay of Plenty Volunteer Cavalry, and especially with regard to his having volunteered and successfully carried despatches through the enemy's country on the 29th June, 1867. I have no hesitation in saying that it was an act of bravery equal to many I have known for which the Distinguished Service Order for officers and the Distinguished Service Medal for non-commissioned officers and privates in the Imperial army have been awarded.

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