Royal Commission report day 20 page 1

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The Royal Commission evidence for 14/5/1881

(full text transcription)

(see also introduction to day 20)

[[#_Toc504103434|]]Canny sworn and examined

Present:

Hon. F. LONGMORE , M.L.A., in the Chair;

J. H. Graves , Esq , M.L.A., J. Gibb , Esq. , M.L.A.,

E. J. Dixon , Esq. , J.P. , W. Anderson , Esq., M.L.A.,

G. R. Fincham , Esq. , M.L.A., G. W. Hall , Esq. , M.L.A.

7373 By the Commission— What are you?— A mounted constable.

7374 You remember the morning of the day on which the Kellys were taken at Glenrowan here?— Yes.

7375 Where are you stationed now?— At Greta.

7376 What time did you arrive on the ground?— At twenty minutes to three,

7377 Then you were amongst the first that arrived?— Yes.

7378 Did Mr. Hare and Mr. O'Connor arrive at the same time?— Yes.

7379 They came in fact by the special train?— Yes.

7380 Do you remember what occurred immediately after you arrived?— Yes.

7381 State it?— When we came to the station, Mr. Hare the horses to be got out, and we were in the act of taking them out, and had some out, and Constable Bracken came running there and said the Kellys were at Mrs. Jones's; and I asked Mr. Hare what we would do with the horses, and he said “Let them go:” and he said, “Come on, boys,” and we followed him to Jones's hotel. Immediately after we got through the wicket gate with Mr. Hare, the Kellys came out north of the house by the chimney; and I believe Mr. Hare was the first man who fired after the Kellys fired, and there were about forty shots fired between the two parties, and I heard Mr. Hare say he was wounded in the wrist.

7382 How long after the first volley was that?— I cannot tell; there were about thirty or forty shots fired, and I heard him say he was wounded.

7383 Was Mr. Hare sitting down?— No, not at that time—standing up, going towards the hotel.

7384 Would it be five minutes after you arrived?— I could not tell about the time.

7385 I mean in front of the house?— I dare say it would be; it might be more.

7386 You were near Mr. Hare?— Yes, close on the right-hand side.

7387 Did he not say he was wounded immediately after the first volley?— Yes; thirty or forty shots fired.

7388 Were the black trackers and the police firing?— Yes; but I did not see the black trackers at this time.

7389 Were they any of those that fired?— I dare say they were; I could not say who was firing.

7390 They were in the train with you?— Yes.

7391 Did you see Mr. O'Connor at this time?— No, not at that time. I heard Mr. Hare sing out to Mr. O'Connor to fetch the boys, and to surround the house.

7392 What happened then?— After that I came back over the fence, and took up a position in front of the house. I could hear Mr. O'Connor speaking to the left of where I was in the drain.

7393 Speaking to his boys?— I suppose it was that.

7394 Do you remember about what time the women were let out of the hotel?— They came out after the first fire, after Mr. Hare left.

7395 About what time?— Four o'clock I think, as near as I could guess.

7396 How many came out?— I could not tell how many. Mrs. Jones came out for one, and Mrs. Reardon I believe was also one of them.

7397 Did you continue firing?— We ceased firing, as Mr. Hare told us to stop firing and surround the house till daylight.

7398 Did you stop firing till daylight?— No. Immediately after Mr. Hare left one man came out, who I believe was Ned Kelly , and he fired in the direction of the men on the Benalla side, and I fired at him two or three shots, and one of the trackers who was with me, named Barney , fired too, and this man retreated back.

7399 You did not see that the shots took any effect?— I could not tell that.

7400 Did you remain in the front until the men were let out?— Yes.

7401 About what time was that, do you think?— Twelve o'clock , I should think.....

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