Royal Commission report day 11 page 16
The Royal Commission evidence for 12/4/1881
(see also introduction to day 11)
[[../../people/peU_Z/wyattMag.htm|Alfred Wyatt, P.M.]] giving evidence
2213 Let me call your attention to what you have not mentioned—did you pass Violet Town again?— Yes.
2214 Did you get any information there?— No, we did not stop for any; we went straight through. I got off the engine, and went to where I found Detective Ward, and said to him, “Get down here, Ward, and take note of the exact spot to which you will have to return to on the line with the horses,” because we could not put down horses there. He did so, and I got up into the carriage again, expecting him after me, but there was some little delay of a minute or two, and then somebody came to me and said, “There is somebody coming across the paddock, and they are singing out.” I looked out and saw two men coming, and I thought they were in their shirts, and that they had been stripped naked, and had no other clothing; but when they came near I discovered they had white silk coats on. The light was imperfect then. I then was told it was Mr. McCauley, the manager of the station, and some other person, and that they wished me to get down. I got down, and went with him up to the station with Detective Ward. I found from the time at which we arrived there and the time at which it will be daylight there would be plenty of time to take short depositions, and get back to Euroa and send the men back before daylight.
2215 You would be down by daylight?— Yes; I concluded there would be good room to take some short depositions.
2216 About what?— About the men that had been there—the Kellys. I, therefore, took the depositions of Mr. McCauley and another person, I do not know whom, to be forwarded to Captain Standish for his use.
2217 Did the train stop all this time?— The train waited; and as soon as that was done, which did not occupy more than twenty-five minutes or half-an-hour, I got back to the train, went rapidly to Euroa and put the horses out there. While that was being accomplished, something occurred which made me remember that I had noticed on the way down that it was not improbable that there might be a difficulty about the commanders of the expedition—Detective Ward and Senior-constable Johnson. What I had noticed was this, that Sergeant Johnson was very eager, and so positive in his notions of what should be done, that I feared, if Ward should not agree with him, he would not be quite subordinate.
2218 What were Johnson's opinions?— I cannot remember what they were now.
2219 What was the eagerness—eagerness to get away and attack the Kellys or what?— I cannot say. He is a froward eager man rather.
2220 Was he eager to get away?— That would not constitute him a froward man—a difficult man to control.
2221 You are leaving us to form our own opinion?— I must do so; it is only my own opinion, for I cannot recall the facts that led me to form that opinion.
2222 Did you ever in your whole experiences find the constables or sergeants or subordinates reluctant to pursue the Kellys ?— Never at any moment. I am glad that question has been asked—not one of them.
2223 Was it your opinion that Johnson was only too anxious to get at the Kellys?— Yes, too anxious.
2224 And Ward equally so?— Ward equally so; and every man I have ever met in the police has manifested the greatest eagerness to get at the Kellys, or to get in close quarters with them. I thought, from Johnson's strength of will, he might prove difficult to control.
2225 Had you either of the Victorian black trackers in your party?— I am told so; but I do not remember seeing either of them. I believe he was there; but I do not remember noticing or speaking to him till a later stage. I remember the question arose in my mind.
2226 I will have to ask the question distinctly:—From the moment that you told them, and they had authentic information in Benalla, by the telegram of Captain Standish, of the Euroa bank robbery, up to the time you saw them, and had to do with them, did the police show the greatest amount of eager desire to get at them in the speediest time?— They showed the greatest possible eagerness.
2227 Did that eagerness exist in the minds of the police from the time you informed Whelan of what you had seen between Benalla and Euroa?— It always existed.
2228 At all times?— At all times. I have been a great deal with the police. I have had a great deal of confidential communication with them; but the only person I was in contact with that evening was Whelan.
2229 Mr. Whelan also showed the same desire to capture the Kellys?— Yes; certainly.
2230 Did he show an extraordinary desire to take steps on that immediate information?— He did......
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