Royal Commission report day 11 page 12
The Royal Commission evidence for 12/4/1881
(see also introduction to day 11)
[[../../people/peU_Z/wyattMag.htm|Alfred Wyatt, P.M.]] giving evidence
2153 Those were two clean cuts?— Yes, I put that in my pocket. I then ran across this fence and underneath the culvert to go to the other line under the culvert. I found an enormous tangle of wires some distance under, and there I found the guard of the train who had got down on the other side and was come. I said, “Run out the ends of those wires immediately,” and I laid hold of the larger line and ran out four wires separately so as to come to the end. I found every one of the lines cut and not broken. “Look,” I think I said, “It is clear the line is cut. I believe the Kellys are about. Say not a word to the passengers or any one, but say as I told the driver, the fireman, and Gorman to say, that it looks like a whirlwind.” I got on to the train. The passengers looked at me, and enquired, “What is the matter?” and I gave that answer, “The line is down, and it looks like a whirlwind.”
2154 Was the guard of the train made acquainted with the facts?— It was the guard I met under the culvert.
2155 What did you do when you came to Violet Town?— When I came to Violet Town I spoke to the station-master there, whose name I cannot remember but whose face I can. I said to him instantly, “The line is cut; do not tell anybody, the passengers or anybody else, but send them word to Melbourne .”
2156 How could he?— Very easily, as I did myself afterwards. I am not quite certain whether I told him to send round by way of Deniliquin and Albury, but I know he could do it. I presume he knew. I do not think I told him that, but I assumed he would be able to do it. They had been fiddling about in Melbourne , but never tried that expedient I refer to, to send messages.
2157 That is hearsay?— Yes; I cannot say whether I told him what way to do it, but I told him.
2158 You said, “communicate with M1elbourne immediately”?— Yes.
2159 How many miles is it about to Benalla from Violet Town ?—16 miles.
2160 How long was the train stopped when you were examining the wires?— Less than five minutes. The train was stopped less than five minutes while we were examining the wires. I ran very quickly indeed. I felt really that much depended on time.
2161 What hour do you fix that at?— As nearly as possible seven.
2162 Was it seven o'clock when you examined those wires on your return to Benalla. From subsequent hearing of the Kellys movements, where would the Kellys have been when you were examining the wires?— Still at the Faithfull's Creek station, looking at and inspecting me while I was inspecting the wires.
2163 Would they have seen you if they left at eight o'clock ?— I know they did see us; they saw us, and were very much perturbed, and thought it was “the traps,” they said. I arrived at Benalla. I immediately desired to find the policeman, and while searching about I saw Mr. Nicolson and Mr. Sadleir in the distance standing at the railway carriage door. I went to them and said, as nearly as possible, these words— “Nicolson, the line is cut, all five wires; four of the Government wires and one of the railway line are cut, not broken. The Kellys are about. Now you know as much as I know, and what you know yourself, will it alter your plans?”
2164 How did you know about his plans?— I did not know his plans, but I was desirous he should stop. I saw them starting off, and I was desirous that one or the other should stop. From what Mr. Sadleir has stated—and his evidence is given with such exactness and good tone that where I differ from him I prefer to be corrected by him—he has supplied personal facts, which show there must have been a longer time occupied in the interview than I remember at this date, but what I have stated I am absolutely certain about.
2165 I was impressed with the idea in Captain Standish's evidence that you did all you could to prevent those gentlemen proceeding on their journey?— I would not go so far as that. I was desirous for one of them to stop, but I felt they had more information to form a judgment on than I had, and should be naturally influenced by that, as well as by what I told them; but I expected up to the last moment that one would stay; and when they jumped into the train, and I saw that both had gone—
2166 When you gave that information to Mr. Nicolson, what remark did he make?— In answer to my words to him, he said, after reflecting a few moments— “We know what it means, Mr. Wyatt, it will not influence our plans;” and they got into the railway train.
2167 He did not say “Pooh, pooh !”?— I am glad you have mentioned that; that was a point I wanted very expressly to correct. I wished to state to you that Captain Standish's statement in his evidence that Mr. Nicolson pooh-poohed my communication is very inaccurate. Mr. Nicolson did not at all pooh-pooh, but he seemed to reflect and weigh the facts, and then come to a conclusion upon his knowledge of all the circumstances. I knew that his knowledge was far greater than mine, and I never for a moment—
2168 How did you know that?— His position made him infinitely more so.
2169 Did he tell you?— Not a word.
2170 He did not say he had information?— No, but I knew his information must be far greater than mine of the whole facts, and therefore it would have been ridiculous for me to have sat in judgment as to whether he was going or staying, and I deemed he had further important information......
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