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Story of the KellyGang - the Royal Commission evidence

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== The Royal Commission evidence for 21/6/1881 ==

''''''

=== full text ===

(see also introduction to [[Royal Commission report 21/6/1881|day 32]])

[[../../people/peA/armstrongHPC.html|'''Const Henry Armstrong''']] ''''''giving evidence''''''

[[#rc12099|12099]] You were one of the cave party?— Yes.

[[#rc12100|12100]] Did you believe that that cave party was kept a secret?— Well, every attempt was made, but I am thoroughly confident that it was discovered.

[[#rc12101|12101]] The police made every endeavor, but it was impossible to do it?— Yes.

[[#rc12102|12102]] Did a great many people connected with [[Anne and John Sherritt Snr|Sherritt's family]] know?— Yes, Mrs. and Miss Sherritt; they are the whole Sherritt family.

[[#rc12103|12103]] And some of the family were going to school along with the Byrnes?— Well, [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|Denis Byrne]] was going to school with a brother of Mrs. Sherritt’s, twelve years of age.

[[#rc12104|12104]] They would naturally speak of the cave?— Yes.

[[#rc12105|12105]] Your opinion is that it was known?— It was known.

[[#rc12106|12106]] Do you remember a report before asked from you with reference to the cave party?— I do.

[[#rc12107|12107]] What occurred with reference to that?— When I was leaving Beechworth, [[Ward|Ward]] had asked me to furnish a report along with the other constables. I made a report to say that I simply carried out Mr. [[Nicolson|Nicolson]]'s instructions, and formed no opinion as to whether we were discovered or not. Ward asked me to report that we were not discovered, but I refused to do so.

[[#rc12108|12108]] What did be say on that occasion?— He said, “Will not you report that we are not discovered?” I said, “No, I cannot.” I was leaving for my station then. Opinions were expressed in the cave by the men as to the reason for Ward keeping the party on. I had heard it said by one constable, Anthony [[Const R Alexander|Alexander]], of [[Cashel|Cashel]], “It is my opinion that Ward is making a fool of the whole of the officers to put money in the pocket of a certain [[Patrick Allen|storekeeper]] at Beechworth.” The latter is a most respectable man. Ward and he were very intimate, and his bill, I believe, was £30 a month—about that—for provisions, spirits, and porter supplied to the cave party.

[[#rc12109|12109]] You were very well kept while you were there?— Very well; but we had to put up with a great deal of hardship.

[[#rc12110|12110]] The provisions were good, but the hardships very great?— We had no sleep hardly; about eight or nine days we used to remain there, and could not wash our faces; had to carry water two miles.

[[#rc12111|12111]] It was without any result?— Yes; and it was the general impression we were discovered.

[[#rc12112|12112]] Did you form any idea why Ward wished it to be said you were not discovered?— Well, I could not.

[[#rc12113|12113]] Did he show any anxiety about keeping you there?— I can give Sherritt's statement to me. Sherritt told me he believed we were kept on to show we were doing something.

[[#rc12114|12114]] Did Ward show a great desire that you should state that you were not discovered, in your sheet?— He did.

[[#rc12115|12115]] Is there any other reason in your mind which would be the cause of Ward wishing for this special character of report except that?— I could not form any opinion, although there were other constables called to make reports at the time.

[[#rc12116|12116]] Do you think it was to show he was efficiently discharging his own duty?— Well, if I gave any opinion, that is the one I would be inclined to express.

[[#rc12117|12117]] Were you ever asked before for a report in any case?— No, but I was told before the cave party was discontinued that we would have to make reports.

[[#rc12118|12118]] Were you aware of any other constables' reports being sent back to be amended?— [[Const Faulkiner|Faulkiner]] and [[Const Daniel Barry|Barry]] made reports and, I believe, were told to make fresh reports.

[[#rc12119|12119]] Do you know whether they did?— I believe they did. Constable [[Const R McHugh|McHugh]] and [[Const J Dixon|Dixon]] also made reports in reference to it.

[[#rc12120|12120]] Did you hear that the fact of your being in the cave was known at the police depot in Melbourne ?— Well, I had heard that Constable [[Const Faulkiner|Faulkiner]] lost a letter there, but that was after the capture. It was written to him from the police depot at Richmond , but it was lost accidentally out of his pocket.

[[#rc12121|12121]] Lost where?— I have only the general hearsay of the men, and mention was made in the press as to it—that a letter to Faulkiner from the depot was found in the cave after we left there.

[[#rc12122|12122]] In which it was announced that your presence was known?— I believe so.....

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