Royal Commission report day 50 page 21
Story of the KellyGang - the Royal Commission Report
The Royal Commission evidence for 7/9/1881
'
full text
(see also introduction to day 50)
[[../../people/peN_P/nicolsonPAC.html|Ass Com Charles Hope Nicolson]] giving evidence
1698I There was a claim of £20 that this man made while Captain Standish and myself were in the district?— Yes.
16982 For expenses incurred at that time?— Yes.
16983 It was opposed by Captain Standish, was it not?— Yes.
16984 At the express desire of Mr. Sadleir, or advice of Mr. Sadleir?— I am not aware of that.
16985 You know it was refused by him. Did you make a subsequent application to Captain Standish, when you were up there, to pay this money to “Renwick”?— I have no recollection of it; possibly I did. I satisfied myself the man's claim was a good one.
16986 But you were not up there?— But I made enquiries from all concerned —a systematic enquiry.
16987 By what means was it paid?— You had better enquire at the Treasury.
16988 Did you certify to it?— No doubt of that. The whole circumstances of the case were laid before the Government. Mr. Sadleir , Sergeant Steele , Detective Ward, and all who had seen this man in his travels at different angles of the country —all corroborated his statement, and satisfied the Government that the claim was genuine.
16989 This man “Renwick” is the man that gave the information about having seen Joe Byrne and his dog behind a stone?— Yes, it was.
16990 Upon his information you brought up a large party of police on the Sunday?— Yes; I did not say a large party
16991 Fourteen or fifteen, with blackfellows?— Five or six blackfellows, and the rest white men.
16992 Where did you meet this man when you came up with your party?— At Everton.
16993 Was his face blackened?— No; no such absurdity.
16994 Who did you take with you that time, Aaron Sherritt?— Yes.
16995 Why did you take Sherritt on that occasion?— To help to scour the country.
16996 What time did you leave Everton?— As soon as we reached it —the first train in the morning.
16997 That is about eleven o'clock ?— The early morning train. We left Benalla at five o'clock . We had a special train. We left soon after sunrise.
16998 And you left with a party of police with Sherritt, leaving Everton, to go to Sebastopol ?— Yes.
16999 Why would not Ward or Mullane have done to show you across the country, who were quite as well acquainted with it as Sherritt?— I considered that Sherritt was very much better.
17000 Did you not see the danger of exposing the man with all those police through that country?— I took every precaution.
17001 But he was seen, you know?— I do not know anything of the kind.
17002 Do you not know when one of the black trackers saw ——, Joe Byrne's friend, and took deliberate aim at him?— I did not see him, I heard of it.
17003 And he had an opportunity of seeing Aaron Sherritt with you?— That is another assumption. Sherritt was a long way in front, in a gully.
17004 You met two or three people on the road?— Never saw a soul.
17005 Mr. O'Connor said so. Previous to coming to Byrne's house there was a lad on a black horse, and Aaron Sherritt was quite aware of the man at Byrne’s house having seen the blacks?— I never heard of it. Here is “ Renwick 's” application for the reward-[handing in a paper].
17006 By the Commission. –Was it necessary to take Aaron?— Yes.
17007 Why?— Because there were places of concealment in that rocky country that Aaron knew of.
17008 Did you expose any other private agent in broad daylight the same as Aaron was that day?— Yes, this man “Renwick.” He was with the party that day.
17009 By Mr. Hare . –He was not known in the district?— Not so much as Aaron; but he was known very well in the district. Aaron was up on the hill when we arrived at this railway station, at Everton, contrary to my instructions. I whispered to that man “ Renwick ” to go and tell the man (he did not know who it was) to go away, and watch where he could meet us, and he went away. We got our horses out, and went to the bush, and Aaron then joined a portion of us, and he was the guide through the thickest part of the country, so as not to be seen, and we were not seen by a soul from the time we started till we got to Crawfold's paddock.....
Previous page / Next page
| ! | The text has been retyped from a microfiche copy of the original. We have taken care to reproduce this document but areas of the original text may been damaged. |
The previous day / next day . . . Royal Commission index RC_index.html
