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182 the fire and they soon dried; the revolver I took to pieces, dried, and oiled; purchased some brandy from a shanty nearby, and went over to McGregor’s, where I stayed for the night.

“A few days later I again made a trip to the Greenstone. Walmsley and I went up at the latter end of each week, usually on Saturday, remaining over Sunday, which, as I have before stated, was the business day. On this occasion I was at the Taramakau when Walmsley called en route for Greenstone. I got ready to accompany him, for I made it a rule to travel, if possible, in company; the Taramakau being such a treacherous river it was unsafe for one to travel alone. At this time I had my safe (a little thing which two men could carry), in McGregor’s store, under his bed, which was immediately behind the bar; the tent was a calico one. I had my safe here for two reasons; in the first place Taramakau was in a central position as regards the then existing diggings, viz., Greenstone, Totara and the Six Mile, and again the police tent occupied by Sergeant Broham and Constable Cooper was erected here, Constable O'Donnell being at the Grey.