Royal Commission report day 15 page 19
The Royal Commission evidence for 4/5/1881
(see also introduction to day 15)
Constable Duross giving evidence
3951 You went to that point one hundred yards away?— Yes, I saw the other men go and followed them.
3952 Were the other men instructed to take positions in your hearing?— I could not say.
3953 You took your own position and took the general fire with the roof?— Yes, I saw the others fire
3954 Were you instructed by either of your superior officers to fire?— No, I was not.
3955 Did Mr. Sadleir seem to have charge of the whole affair, giving orders to all the men around?— Yes, he seemed to be in command there.
3956 What do you mean— “seemed to be”?— He was the senior officer there.
3957 What do you mean by “seemed”?— I mean seemed—that he was the senior officer, and I supposed he would give instructions.
3958 Did you see him giving instructions from point to point?— Yes; I could not tell what he we doing or saying.
3959 Did you hear him call upon the people in the house to come out?— Yes.
3960 Did all the people in the house then come out?— Yes—and to cease firing, and the men did cease firing for a considerable time, and the people all came out in a body.
3961 Was the fire pretty hot before that?— No.
3962 After they came out did they fire volley upon volley?— Yes; there was a little time elapsed before there was any firing, and then it was pretty warm for a time.
3963 Were the volleys by order, or every man as he liked?— I could dot say. As soon as I saw the other men fire I fired.
3964 Did you put down your gun from your shoulder, and then lift it again and fire?— Yes.
3965 To see where you hit?— Yes
3966 You cannot remember when the outlaws ceased firing from the house—how long before it was burnt?— The house was burnt down about four or five o’clock .
3967 The outlaws ceased to fire about eleven?— No; I think I heard some man say that one of them came out, and tapped his armour.
3968 You did not see it yourself?— No.
3969 You saw the house when it was set on fire?— Yes.
3970 You saw the priest enter?— Yes.
3971 How far were the police from the house when the priest went in?— There were some of them nearer than others. He went up from near the front of the house, and I think he went in the back door, and came out and put out his hand.
3972 Do you call the back door the one nearest the station?— No, that leading to the back yard.
3973 On the other side you mean?— Yes.
3974 How far were the nearest police from the house when the priest went in?— I should say about 50 or 60 yards.
3975 Did you see the priest in?— Yes.
3976 And go out?— Yes.
3977 Did you see his action?— He held up his hand.
3978 And then after that did the police go up?— Yes, they rushed the house then.
3979 They were then about 60 yards off when he raised his hands?— Yes.
3980 And about that time the priest went in?— Yes.
3981 By Mr. Sadleir. —You said I ordered you to fire at the bricks—was not that as late as one o'clock in the afternoon?— It might have been still later on.
3982 Was not the supposition then that they would go in the chimney?— Yes; I recollect that the prisoners when they came out told you or some one that they were in the chimney.
3983 Did we also try to fire through the wooden end, into the breastwork at the other end, right across the other side?— I believe it was done, I do not know of my own knowledge.
3984 By the Commission. —Did you get instructions from your officers to do that?— Yes.
3985 Did you do it?— Yes, I did, to the best of my belief.
3986 By Mr. Sadleir. —Do you remember where Dixon and Armstrong were standing?— I remember where Dixon and Armstrong were standing.
3987 At the tree directly opposite the door?— Yes.
3988 Is not that tree inside the railway fence?— Yes.....
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