Royal Commission report day 26 page 11
The Royal Commission evidence for 7/6/1881
(see also introduction to day 26)
Mr Melvin giving evidence
10232 Do you know whether, at the end of the hotel where Johnson set fire to it, they could see then to fire out from it at any person approaching?— I do not.
10233 Do you believe it was so perforated?— I could not say. I know the roof was riddled with bullets.
10234 What time did you know that Byrne was shot?— The rumor started soon after the prisoners escaped, and it was gradually confirmed as time wore on.
10235 Had you not heard of it before that?— No.
10236 Not at the time that Kelly was captured?— No.
10237 You had no information before the prisoners escaped at ten o'clock that Byrne was shot?— No.
10238 Was it possible that a great number of people surrounding Glenrowan would have known it without your knowing it?— Not a great number; some of them may.
10239 You were examined by Reward Board?— Yes.
10240 You used the expression as to Kelly, that after Mr. Hare left, and up to a certain time, he, in your opinion, kept things right?— Yes.
10241 You stated why you came to that conclusion?— Yes.
10242 That he posted the men and came round for ammunition, and went round the house to see if the men were so posted, and came back and told you from time to time on the platform how things were?— Yes.
10243 That is what you mean by saying “kept things right”?— Yes.
10244 Do you think from the time Mr. Sadleir came, when you first saw him, he kept things right?— I do
10245 Will you say in the same way shortly how he kept things right as Kelly did?— I can only say this, that I saw that things were kept right, and I knew he was in charge. That is my only answer. I saw him leaving the platform, but I did not follow him. When he was in the midst of his work I was in the midst of mine.
10246 Do you know of your own knowledge whether he went round himself and saw the men were posted?— I do not.
10247 Did you see him issuing any ammunition to the men?— No.
10248 Or senior constable under his orders issue ammunition?— No.
10249 Did you see him talking to Ned Kelly?— Yes.
10250 Did you see him in the room smoking where Ned Kelly was?— Yes; I saw him filling his pipe.
10251 That portion of the evidence of Mr. Carrington gave you saw?— Yes.
10252 Can you specify, except generally, that he did keep things right—any one particular thing which you call keeping things right?— No; I can only say things were kept right, in my opinion.
10253 Have you any reason to believe he did not?— No.
10255 You said you would speak of Mr. O'Connor's part in the matter presently—can you mention what you desired?— What I wanted to explain was this, that I understood Mr. O'Connor was there simply as a volunteer; that, as a volunteer, he did good service, for which he deserved the thanks of the community.
10256 What we want is not your impressions, but what he did there—what do you know about him on that day of your own knowledge?— I simply know he left the platform with Mr. Hare and I did not see him again till after daylight.
10257 What did you see of him after daylight?— He came on the platform and spoke to Mrs. O'Connor.
10258 I think you said you got into the ditch where Mr. O'Connor was—did you see him there?— No. I saw the firing there.
10259 How do you know Mr. O'Connor was there?— From Senior-Constable Kelly.
10260 Did you hear him speak to Mrs. O'Connor?— I saw him come on the platform and go to Mrs. O'Connor. I did not hear him speak to her.
10261 Did you see anything else of Mr. O'Connor during that day?— No; I never saw anything of him.
10262 He might have been doing anything without your knowing?— Yes.
10263 Were you on the ground to see him?— We were on the platform, and did not see him.
10264 By Mr. O'Connor. —Did you not hear from some of the police what I was doing?— Yes.
10265 You heard that I was taking my part in the fight?— Yes. Mr. Hare, when he came on the platform, told Mrs. O'Connor; or Mr. Webb asked where you were, and if you were right, and he said, yes, you were right, in a good place in the drain. That was when he came on the platform, wounded.
10266 Did you hear Mr. Hare give any orders?— No; nothing but “Come along, boys.”
10267 You did not hear his “fine manly voice” above the din of the fight?— No.
10268 Would you have been in a position to have heard it?— I think so.
10269 If anybody else had?— I think so.....
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