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Sib,— Auckland, 24th July, 1897. With such strong documentary evidence produced by Mr. Harry Wrigg, and his wellknown integrity, I feel sure that his application, supported as it is, will gain him the distinction heprays for. I have, &c, William Tole, Hon. T. Thompson, Defence Minister. Late Royal Engineers. Dbab Sic, — Newton Eoad, Auckland, sth August, 1897. Having carefully read over all the documents submitted by you to me, I feel perfectly satisfied that the duty performed by you in riding with despatches through an enemy's country, which then appears to have been in a very disturbed and dangerous state, I quite concur in the opinions expressed by the many different officers, that your services are most deserving of favourable recognition by the Government, and I trust that I may yet have the pleasure soon of seeing you justly rewarded for your gallant conduct with the New Zealand Cross, which decoration you richly deserve. Having served in Her Majesty's Imperial and Indian Army, in the Indian Mutiny and North-west Frontier campaign, as also for nearly twenty years in India, I consider I ought to be a fairly competent judge in this matter. Wishing you the success you so justly deserve, I remain, &c, E. B. Moeeow, Late Captain and Honorary-Major, Her Majesty's Imperial Army. Harry Wrigg, Esq., late Comet, B.P.V.C. Dbab Mγ.. Wbigg,— ■ Auckland, 9th August, 1897. I have read the copy of extract from camp orders dated Opotiki, 28th June, 1867, and the indorsement on back thereof, and am of opinion that any man voluntarily undertaking such a hazardous and dangerous duty is certainly deserving of the highest commendation. I personally know well the line of country you rode through at the time, or track rather, teeming with possible ambushes. I have no hesitation in saying that I think the act of bravery then performed by you ought to be recognised by the bestowal of the New Zealand Cross. I shall, be pleased to hear of the success of your application for the above distinctive mark of merit. I am, &c* PONSONBY PeACOCKE, Harry Wrigg, Esq., Auckland. Late Captain, 2nd Waikato Begiment. Sic, — Auckland, Bth August, 1897. After perusing documents placed before me in regard to your services in carrying despatchesin time of great danger on the East Coast, and my personal acquaintance with many of those who have appended their names to them, I sincerely hope you will be successful in gaining the ■ hig~h honour of having the New Zealand Cross awarded to you for bravery, which I am sure you are justly entitled to. I have had considerable experience in Maori warfare, and consider your daring exploit in risking ambush by the enemy for so many miles, in rough country, besides the danger in crossing rivers in flood, required great tact and decision in carrying out the undertaking successfully. I trust length of time since the occurrence will not prejudice your claim, as it should, always be a pleasure to those in power to honour persons whose brave conduct was the means of saving the lives of many who were in very great danger at the time. Yours, &c, Waltek J. Habeis, Harry Wrigg, Esq. Late Captain, New Zealand Cavalry. Statement by Mr. Habby Wbigg re Captain Bower's (late District Adjutant and Second in Command of the Opotiki District, 1867-68) Application for the New Zealand Cross for Services rendered by Mr. Harry Wrigg, late Cornet B.P.V. Cavalry. I was a personal friend of the late Colonel St. John, and when I made the ride in 1867 the decoration of the New Zealand Cross was not instituted, being only gazetted in 1869. I left Opotiki in the latter end of 1867, and did not see Colonel St. John again until 1871, when I met him in Wellington, and he then, and afterwards, volunteered to recommend me for the decoration ; but I declined, owing to a misapprehension, in which he apparently must have shares (sic) (see my statement handed to Mr. private secretary, whilst in Auckland in attendance upon the Hon. Mr. Thompson, and which he promised to have attached to my papers already in Defence Department). Captain Bower, who was Adjutant and second in command at the time, and who has recommended me the Cross, knows the whole circumstances of the case, as also the feeling of the late Colonel St. John upon the duty performed (I may mention that Captain Bower and I have not met since 1867). In addition to this gentleman's recommendation, which was really the only document necessary, I have supplied four certificates from captains who were present, and supports to claim from three colonels (one since received from Wellington unsolicited since my papers were sent in, but a copy of which I attach hereto), three majors, five captains, one lieutenant, and five noncommissioned officers, all gentlemen who have seen service, and of well-known integrity. The officer commanding a district, in accordance with all military usage, never dies, and I would most respectfully point out that, supposing Colonel St. John should have been killed whilst I was away with the despatches, the command would necessarily have fallen upon Captain Bower, and so on down to the last non-commissioned officer upon the field.

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