Royal Commission report day 34 page 11
The Royal Commission evidence for 29/6/1881
(see also introduction to day 34)
'SConst Flood giving evidence'
12688 Do you consider now that the Kellys were in the district all the time?— I believe that they were most of the time, and housed by their friends the whole of the time, except the short time they were in New South Wales.
12689 Do you think they were back in the ranges, or in amongst their friends?— With their friends. I do not think they were in the ranges at all, except in taking a run from one friend to another.
12690 How was it the police did not get better information about their whereabouts?— The principal thing was the way the names of informants were given in the papers. The people were frightened to give information, and also the terror that those men had struck into the people.
12691 Was there no chance of the police seeing them at all?— No chance whatever of the police seeing them. I was the first to whom information was given that Hart was the third man; but although I had the confidence of the people there, that was the only information I got. The people were frightened to give information.
12692 Why should the police have no chance of seeing them?— We had no information.
12693 But by searching those sympathizers' houses?— We did search their houses. We watched about their places at night–watched several places, and with no good result; but, the sympathizers were very numerous.
12694 What led you to believe they were living upon their friends if you could never detect any of them?— From what I have heard since.
12695 In watching those places, did you search the houses before leaving after watching all night?— No; in most cases where we watched places, we either saw through the window or through the door or cracks. I did not allow them to know we were watching. I recollect, on one occasion, when I was out with Mr. Nicolson that plan was adopted–placed our horses some distance away from the house, and then went there after dark; and, through the window or cracks in the door, looked into the place and listened to the conversation.
12696 Were you out with search parties with Mr. Hare?— No.
12697 With Mr. Sadleir?— Yes, I was out with Mr. Sadleir and the black trackers nearly all the time they were out in search parties.
12698 And you never got anything to lead you on at all in going to those houses?— Nothing whatever.
12699 The outlaws may have been in the houses all the time if the houses were not searched?— I believe it was possible for them to be about some of their friends nearly all the time.
12700 Did you consider the going about in large parties a good method?— No, I did not.
12701 What method would you consider now, if there was an outbreak, would be the most effectual?— I suggested a plan, on one occasion that I had charge of a party myself, that was that we go out at night, leave our horses all together, and go out to some place that we had information that they were in the habit of making, and pass through and secrete ourselves, and have provisions brought to us there at night. I sent in that report, and it was arranged that the sergeant at Wangaratta was to arrange with me whenever I thought a suitable opportunity occurred for this arrangement of mine; but the Jerilderie robbery took place very shortly afterwards, and it was never referred to afterwards.
12702 Would you consider that mounted constables patrolling the district would have as good information as could be got by any others now–that they would be prepared to catch any outlaws that might go out into the field?— I do not think whatever knowledge the police had of the district at that time would have been of avail in catching the Kellys; but I know it is very important for the police to know the bush and the people, not to catch the Kellys but to prevent men going through the bush, and sweating horses and cattle and illegally using; but I do not think whatever knowledge they had, however good then, that it would have led to the arrest of the Kellys.
12703 Do you think all the information that was given did anything towards the arrest of the Kellys?— I do not think it did. I think it was just by a fluke they were caught.
12704 Was it not money thrown away appointing those agents, and having large parties?— When I made use of that expression I did. I meant really the result–the taking of them, but as to whether it was any use doing it I do not know.
12705 Do you think you will be able to remember or get any information further about that log business?— The only way would be to get the books from Benalla, and find out the dates. It must be in the books at Benalla–the date I went out there. There is a record kept of the duty of the men and horses too.....
Previous page / Next page
| ! | The text has been retyped from a microfiche copy of the original. We have taken care to reproduce this document but areas of the original text may been damaged. |
The previous day / next day . . . Royal Commission index RC_index.html
