Royal Commission report day 11 page 2
The Royal Commission evidence for 12/4/1881
(see also introduction to day 11)
Sup John Sadleir giving evidence
1992 By the Commission (to the witness). —Will you proceed now?— Do you require a statement of my own duties from the 28th October to l0th November?
1993 No ?— I thought that was wanted.
1994 Individually we must leave it to your discretion to make what statement you choose, but afterwards I shall want to ask who was in the responsible position there. Were you solely responsible; and if any responsible act of yours took place I should ask you not to pass it over?— Certainly not, if I can remember it. I come to speak now of the 9th or 10th of November 1878. Mr. Nicolson was absent at Fern Hills with a search party. During his absence
1995 What date?— About the 9th or 10th of November.
1996 Fern Hill is in the direction where the police were murdered from Benalla?— Yes, a little north. During his absence I received information that the gang were likely to cross the Murray . I communicated with the police at Wodonga and at Albury, and determined myself to go and see the particular place that was indicated. I thought it necessary to see this place by daylight so that we could make better arrangements for watching it at night. As I say, before the time came for my departure, Mr. Nicolson returned. I showed him the papers with the information I had got, and he determined too to come with me to Wodonga and Albury.
1997 Was that information a written communication to you?— It was.
1998 You handed it in the other day?— I think so. Mr. Nicolson telegraphed to the officer in charge at Albury asking him to meet him that evening at Albury, that was on the 10th December. He also informed the Chief Commissioner that he and I were leaving. We got to the Benalla railway station at about eight o'clock in the evening, and were getting our tickets when Mr. Wyatt, the police magistrate, came by us in a very excited manner. I saw something under his coat. He came and spoke to Mr. Nicolson, and then rushed into the ladies' waiting-room, taking Mr. Nicolson with him. I saw something was the matter, though I could not tell what. I tried to follow into the room; Mr. Wyatt pushed the door in my face and shut me out.
1999 Prevented you?— Yes, pushed the door against me and prevented my going in. I waited outside a few minutes to get an opportunity of going in, but could not get in. However, other travellers, lady travellers, found their way in, and he came out again, and I heard his story then.
2000 He came out and related it to you?— He related it to Mr. Nicolson still, I think, in my hearing. His manner was exceedingly excited, and did not impress me somehow on that account, I think, with any weight; certainly not with the weight that a sober-spoken man would have impressed me. However, I went up and down the platform. I knew several people there, and enquired if anything was known to be wrong along the line—that is the railway line. I found passengers who had come all the way from Melbourne . At most of the stations they had seen the police, and they told me that there was no alarm whatever along the line. We had a very short time, but a few minutes, to decide what we should do, and we went into the train and travelled on, starting towards Albury.
2001 You decided to proceed with your journey?— Yes.
2002 Would Mr Wyatt on that occasion have come up by the train you were going by?— Yes.
2003 Coming up from Euroa by the same train by which you would proceed on to Wodonga?— Yes, he had just come from Euroa. In the short time we had to think it appeared to us impossible that anything of mischief could have happened as early as two o'clock that day, and nothing more be known of it at eight o'clock , when we met Mr. Wyatt. During the day we despatched seven telegrams, and we had heard nothing about the break in the wire.
2004 From where?— From Benalla, some towards Melbourne, two to Melbourne .
2005 Along the line?— Yes.
2006 And heard nothing whatever of the break of the wires?— And heard nothing whatever of the break of the wires.
2007 What time was the last telegram sent?— I am afraid I cannot tell, but I can easily find out.
2008 Was it before you started to Albury?— Yes.
2009 How long?— I can ascertain.
2010 If the statement in the papers is correct, they broke the wires early in the day?— Yes, half past two ......
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