The Alexandra and Yea Standard, Gobur, Thornton and Acheron Express at KellyGang 22/2/1879 (2)

(see previous)

New Telegraph Arrangements

lt is perhaps not generally known, in connection with other arrangements recently made in the working of the Telegraph, that any telegraph office in the colony can now communicate with the head office in Melbourne at all time, night as well as day, and on Sunday at all hours. We understand that it is proposed to make a material alteration in the rates charged for the transmission of telegrams after eight pm to the more important offices, such as Geelong, Ballarat, Sandhurst, Castlemaine, Beechworth, Sale, &e. The rates hitherto charged have been, fifty eight words and under 5s. The rates proposed to be adopted are the following:- From eight pm. twelve pm double the present ordinary rate, viz, 2s for ten words; and two pence every additional word. After eleven pm until half-past eight am, treble the ordinary rate-, viz., 3s for ten words, and 3d for every additional word. The ordinary rates on press message will remain unaltered, but it is proposed to ? the change on press messages transmitted within the colony on Sunday to the amount charged for press messages on other days between half-past seven pm. and eleven pm, viz., 100 words and under 3s; each additional fifty words and under , 2d.

Jerilderie, Monday (see)

On leaving Jerilderie, the Kelly gang went in the direction of Wunnamurra. When coming close to the homestead they met a drover driving his stock. Mr A Markie was a short distance away, when Ned Kelly rode up to him, and accosted him thus, "Is your brother out on the station?" Kelly replied, "I do not know." Kelly said, "I am going to shoot him because he helped to catch the horses for Living and Tarleton, and I will go down and burn the homestead for giving them fresh horses to go on with." Kelly evidently thought that J Mackie, on getting released from the room at Jerilderie, had gone out to the station. Kelly again said to A. Mackie, "Where is your brother?" Mackie replied, “I don't want him shot, and it is not likely I would tell you even if I knew where he was.” Kelly then took Mr Mackie and the drover to the homestead. Hart and Byrne in the meantime went on ahead with the park horses and booty. On getting to the homestead he saw the storekeeper, Mr Elvery, standing at the gate. Kelly said, "What's your name?” Elvery, not knowing who he was, and thinking the question was impudent remained silent. Kelly jumped off his horse, and, pointing to his revolver at him, again asked him his name. Elvery, not liking the close proximity of the revolver, said, "My name is Elvery." Kelly asked Mackie was he Elvery) speaking the truth, and Mackie told him he was. He then asked Elvery where Tarleton and Living were. Elvery said, "I do not know. Kelly said, "Did you not give them fresh horses to go on to Deniliquin .with ?" Elvery said, "No, I did not, because thr horses were not mustered since morning." KeIly then seeing, that Wunnamurra was not the station the bankers had made for, appeared satisfied, and conversed freely with Elvery. He told him, in the course of conversation that he would shot Living whenever he saw him, “for,” added he, "I gave the --- everything he asked for that belonged to himself. He almost begged and prayed in the bank for me not to destroy his life policy, and when I was taking his saddle he again begged me to give it back. Seeing he was a poor man, I gave it back, and now the ---, as soon as he gets a chance, rushes off to betray me." He asked for a drink of water, and then got on his horse, and he and Dan rode off in the direction of Berrigan Station.

Corowa, Monday (see)

A large number of police were concentrated in Howlong in anticipation of a visit from the Kellys. The excitement here is great, and special constables have been sworn in. An application was made to the Bank of New South Wales authorities in Melbourne to supply arms to volunteers, but the application was met with a permit refused.

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