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Royal Commission report day 19 page 18

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Story of the KellyGang - the Royal Commission evidence

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== The Royal Commission evidence for 13/5/1881 ==

''''''

=== full text ===

(see also introduction to [[Royal Commission report 13/5/1881|day 19]])

'''Sgt [[Whelan|Whelan]]''' '''giving evidence'''

<span id="rc6350">[[#rc6350|6350]]</span> What will their duties be?— They have been tested, and the reports have been very favorable by the constable in charge of them.

<span id="rc6351">[[#rc6351|6351]]</span> What is his name?—Kirkham.

<span id="rc6352">[[#rc6352|6352]]</span> Had he a thorough knowledge of the others?— He had charge of them after Constable [[SConst King|King]] was sent back to Queensland under Mr. O'Connor, and held charge of them till they went away, and then took charge of those taken when they were enlisted by Mr. [[Chomley (2)|Chomley]]. Constable [[Kirkham|Kirkham]] then appointed in charge by Mr. Sadleir, and he has had charge of them under me since.

<span id="rc6353">[[#rc6353|6353]]</span> Are you daily in the habit of seeing those trackers, and hearing Kirkham's reports on them?— Yes.

<span id="rc6354">[[#rc6354|6354]]</span> How long have you known Kirkham?— He came up about October, 1878, shortly after the Kellys broke out.

6355 Is he competent to form an opinion as to the two parties?—I think he is.

<span id="rc6356">[[#rc6356|6356]]</span> Do you remember when Mr. Hare relieved Mr. Nicolson at the final matter a few weeks before the capture of the Kellys?— Yes.

<span id="rc6357">[[#rc6357|6357]]</span> Do you recollect—Have you read the report of this inquiry in the papers?— Some of them, in the Age, but they are not given fully in the Age.

<span id="rc6358">[[#rc6358|6358]]</span> Do you know of your own knowledge that there is some misconception, or whatever it may be called, as between the present Assistant-Commissioner of Police and Mr. [[Hare|Hare]], as to full information being given to him when he assumed the final command on the 2nd of June?— I do not know what information Mr. Nicolson gave Mr. Hare, but I know each of the officers at that time—any information I got or knew of.

6359 I did not ask that. Do you know there was any misconception between the two?— I heard of it.

<span id="rc6360">[[#rc6360|6360]]</span> Did you know or were you informed at that time that the Kellys were likely to meet your comrades in armour?— Yes, I heard it.

<span id="rc6361">[[#rc6361|6361]]</span> Who informed you? Do not give the name if it is an outsider?— I had better not give the name, as it is from outside.

<span id="rc6362">[[#rc6362|6362]]</span> Did you communicate, or had you any conversation about the fact of their appearing in armour with any of your officers?— I took the informant to both my officers, Mr. Nicolson and Mr. Hare.

<span id="rc6363">[[#rc6363|6363]]</span> Did you believe yourself that, whenever you were called upon to meet the Kellys, you would meet them in [[Kelly's Armour|armour]]?— I did not consider it was an idle report, on account of mould-boards being stolen, but I came to the conclusion, and Mr. Nicolson thought so too, that they had made a stronghold, and were lining it, as they were afraid of being tracked by black trackers. This man, the informant, said the armour was being made to fit them to ride in. I did not believe it; and Mr. Hare, the same week they came to [[Glenrowan|Glenrowan]], was told it too, and I came to the conclusion.

<span id="rc6364">[[#rc6364|6364]]</span> What week would that be?— After the 20th of June; in fact, the informant was here, and we both saw him.

6365 Did he mention about the armour in your presence?— No; he told me he had told Mr. Hare.

<span id="rc6366">[[#rc6366|6366]]</span> Did Mr. Hare have a conversation with you that led you to believe [[Hare|Mr. Hare]] believed it?— That he did not believe about it; I think it was on the Thursday, and they broke out on the Sunday evening.

<span id="rc6367">[[#rc6367|6367]]</span> Be very cautious about these dates. I understand you to say that you were aware, from a conversation with Mr. Hare, that at a certain period Mr. Hare, was aware that the Kellys were to appear in armour?— It was not stated that they were to appear in it, but that they had it, merely making it.

<span id="rc6368">[[#rc6368|6368]]</span> Try and fix the time you had that conversation with Mr. Hare?— I am almost positive it would be the same week the Kellys broke out at Glenrowan—between the two Sundays.

<span id="rc6369">[[#rc6369|6369]]</span> Did Mr. Hare seem from his conversation with you to be then for the first time informed of it?— I am not sure. I could not say, but he did not appear to believe it; and he pooh-poohed the idea; and he thought that this informant—he said, “Well, he has only the one story every time he comes&quot;; and I had a great opinion of the informant at the time; I said, “Well, I have only told you I believe, and I think that the man will tell nothing but what he hears and believes to be true; but, of course, he may be misled.”

<span id="rc6370">[[#rc6370|6370]]</span> Are you aware it has been given in evidence that a letter was accessible to Mr. Hare with the information upon his coming into the district that the Kellys were preparing armour?— I did not know of that.....

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