Royal Commission report day 17 page 17
The Royal Commission evidence for 10/5/1881
(see also introduction to day 17)
'Constable Alfred John Faulkiner' giving evidence
5225 And cooking utensils?— Yes.
5226 Could you, as a rule, get clear of the roads very much, with that large party?— At times, when we received information, we generally went nine or ten miles in a different direction; if we went in the daytime at all, so as to avoid meeting people.
5227 And did you return at night?— Yes, hut sometimes in a different direction.
5228 Would not the country be very difficult to go through with nine or ten, off the roads, through the bush?— Well, we would separate 150 or 200 yards, and keep in view of each other.
5229 At night?— We never travelled at night that distance apart.
5230 Do you remember hearing any remarks about the noise and dust kicked up by those parties?— No, I cannot say I do.
5231 Were you ever out with Superintendent Hare?— Yes.
5232 Did you, during the early part of 1879, when you say you were continually out, ever come anywhere near the Kellys, so far as you knew?— Yes. I will just refresh my memory—[looking at a paper]. On one occasion, when searching for the gang, without information, we were camped in the ranges, about five p.m.
5233 What date was that—fix it, if you can?— I suppose about April or May1879; I cannot exactly remember. Two young men rode up to us; Mr. Hare asked them their names; they replied with a sneer, after giving some impertinence to Mr. Hare, showing their sympathy for the Kellys. Mr. Hare at once placed two men in charge of them.
5234 What did they say?— I could not say exactly. I could hear them muttering to Mr. Hare, and he was vexed with them at the time, and told them he had a mind to arrest them, ant sent them home with the constables. A short distance from home they were observed by their parents, who took one of the constables to be Ned Kelly and the other to be Steve Hart. The father called out for the constable whom he took to be Hart—He was in the waterhole, bathing, at the time (the old man was)—to come to him. One of the constables remained there, and the other came back to tell Mr. Hare of what the father had said to him, taking him to be Hart. Constable Canny and I left that morning about two a.m. to go into Wangaratta to bring out men to watch the place whilst Mr. Hare's party searched the ranges.
5235 What did the old man say?— I cannot say what he said, but he found his mistake when the constable went to him. The party arrived before daylight that morning, and they watched the house whilst Mr. Hare's party searched the ranges. We also came across a stable built three-quarters of a mile away from the premises, in the bush paddock, which caused much suspicion. On a second occasion, when searching without information.
5236 What date?— Prior to Mr. Hare being relieved for the last time. I think it was the last time he was out with a search party.
5237 It would be about June or July 1879?— Yes. We came across a hut near Lloyd's, in the small bush paddock, and no person at home. We searched the place, two or three of us—I could not say which of us—I think Constable Canny and I, and I think Constable Lawless, and found three or four saddles hanging up that had been recently used, noticing they had surcingles on made by a saddler at Wangaratta. The person who occupied the place was a man with one hand, a bachelor, which clearly showed that he had not a use for four saddles.
5238 Did you speak to him?— I think Superintendent Hare spoke to him.
5239 Did you hear him say anything?— No, I could not hear him say anything; and, as he was looked upon as a sympathizer, this made us still more confident that the gang were still about. When the Kellys were captured, and the horses and saddles brought to Benalla, I identified those saddles as the ones I had seen hanging up in the house near Lloyd's, and sent in a report to that effect, but did not hear anything more about it further than, I believe, some of the Kelly friends claimed them. I would not be certain of that, hut I have heard it. This was the last search party Mr. Hare had for the outlaws prior to being relieved by Mr. Nicolson. I was then in Benalla, up to the time of the Lancefield robbery.
5240 What time was it; was it a month after that?— Yes, about that. That day I was told to saddle up and go off to the train. I did not know what was wrong till I got near to Kilmore, when learned that the Lancefield bank had been robbed. We arrived at Kilmore that evening—Mr. Sadleir, Mr. O'Connor, Senior-Constable King from Lancefield, five or six truckers, and four police. After we had had tea and the horses had fed, Senior-Constable King asked me if I would go with him to see Mr. O'Connor, to 217 allow us to go on to Lancefield that evening, and make an early start in the morning from there. Senior-Constable King left to go to the township to see Mr. O’Connor, and when he returned I asked him the result of his interview.
5241 Was Mr. O'Connor in charge?— No, I could not say he was; he was in charge of the trackers. He said we would have to remain here to-night. and go to Lancefield in the morning. King asked me if he took the trackers would I go with him. This I refused, telling him that it was a good man that would do as he was told. We left Kilmore next morning, and arrived at Lancefield about nine or ten.....
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