The Age (28)

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The Age continued with its report of the KellyGang

NED KELLY'S DEPARTURE

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Some time on Saturday morning rumours were rife in Melbourne to the effect that Ned Kelly, who was expected to appear before the City Police Court this morning, was not to undergo examination here, but was to be taken hence to Beechworth. Inquiry proved that this was correct, but as the authorities kept all proposed movements profoundly secret, a difficulty arose as a to determining when and how the notorious outlaw would be deported to Beechworth. At two o’clock on Saturday Mr Call PM visited the gaol. Kelly was brought before him, and he was asked if he had any objection to being removed to Beechworth for trial. He replied he had none. Constable M'Intyre was present, and formally declared that the prisoner was the person who shot Constables Scanlan and Lonegan, in the now celebrated murderous outrage in the Wombat ranges in the month of October, 1878.

Kelly’s demeanour was simply respectful. He asked no questions, and was at once remanded to the Beechworth court of petty sessions, which sits on Friday next. He was then relegated to his cell, and the governor of the gaol was informed that the prisoner would be sent for in due course. What time was decided upon did not transpire for a considerable period, as all negotiations were carried on between Captain Standish and MrLabertouche, and of course, were purely of a private nature. However, about seven o‘clock orders were given to prepare an engine for a start on the road, and the driver was instructed to be in readiness at nine sharp for a journey, the terminus of which was not designated. A quarter of an-hour after the time, he received instructions to take a saloon carriage and guard's van to the Newmarket station, and remain there for further instructions.

In the meantime, Mr Castieau expected that Kelly would be sent for at an early hour, had everything prepared to facilitate his immediate departure. About half past eight o'clock , the streets being deserted, a wagonette drove up to the Gaol main entrance. It contained Sergeant Steele and four of the mounted constabulary fully armed. Sergeant Steele presented the necessary order for the delivery of the body of Ned Kelly, and this was of course immediately met, Kelly being sent for by two warders. On emerging from his cell it was seen that he was dressed cleanly and respectably. He wore a pilot cloth coat checked waistcoat, and corduroy trousers.

He appeared in excellent health, and all that indicated that he had been wounded was his lameness in the left leg. He was at once handcuffed, and assisted hobbled to the wagonette. He took his seat between two constables. Mr Casteau, who accompanied the prisoner to the wagonette, said to him, ‘Ned Kelly, it is your game to be quiet; do not do any thing foolish.’ He replied, ‘D__ it, ain’t I always quiet?’ The vehicle was then driven away. On arriving at the Newmarket station, Kelly, alighted, and it was found that in order to reach the train it would be necessary for him to walk across the line. This he refused to, stating that the Government were rich enough to pay for a conveyance for him. The police attempted to persuade him to go quietly, but he declined to move and was most insolent in his demeanour, the language he used besides being disgusting. At half past nine o'clock he was placed in the special carriage referred to above, there being in the same compartment six policemen under Sergeant Steele. Captain Standish, Colonel Anderson and Mr Labertouche drove up to the station before the departure of the, train. The Chief Commissioner spoke to the prisoner, who was most impudent in his replies, and the train then left the station.

Shortly after four o’clock yesterday after noon a telegram was received in Melbourne stating that the special train had arrived safely at, its destinaion. However, its arrival was so unexpected that only a railway official and a gaol warder were present to meet it. Kelly was at once taken to the Beechworth gaol, few of the local residents apparently being aware of his arrival.

In accordance with the remand warrant, Kelly will be brought before the Beechworth Court on Friday next, and tried for, the murder of the police in the Wombat Ranges . If committed for trial, as he probably will be, the Crown will take the necessary steps to have the venue for the trial changed to the Central Criminal Court at Melbourne .

Mrs Skillian, with another, friend, came to Melbourne last week, expecting that Kelly would be brought before the City Court to-day, and they were kept in ignorance of the fact of Ned Kelly's removal till yesterday afternoon.


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