Royal Commission report day 12 page 8
The Royal Commission evidence for 13/4/1881
(see also introduction to day 12)
[[../../people/peU_Z/wyattMag.htm|'Alfred Wyatt, P.M. giving evidence']]
2375 Do you know the position of Glenrowan, where the men were shot?— I only know from recollection. I was there repeatedly while the line was being constructed.
2376 Do you know where Morgan was captured?— I know Morgan's look-out well. I do not know the exact spot.
2377 You know he was captured near Peechelba?— Yes, but that is not near there.
2378 Do you remember that when Morgan was there that he said that he would sooner give himself up than be kept continually pursued by the police?— Yes, I did hear that.
2379 That it was worse than death to him to be continually on the move?— I believe it was, but he was a single man and had not the large number of co-operators that these men had.
2380 Therefore the use of continually hunting him down had a strong effect with him?— It would operate well with some men, but not with these, for the reasons I have stated.
2381 Are you aware of your own knowledge, from conversation with your brother magistrates and residents of the district, that every assistance was given by the magistrates and the residents of any responsibility in the district to aid the police in the capture of these men?— I know no specific instance of special exertion, but I am certain of the general feeling of the inhabitants and the magistrates throughout the district.
2382 Do you know whether the outlaws had always horses available or not?— I have good reason to believe they had. I have one special reason to believe so.
2383 Do you think they were better than the police horses?— At first they were better than the police horses. I have two special reasons to know. I met a party on one occasion that I have no doubt was a relief party of four horses, being; taken to these men—fresh horses for the Kellys.
2384 Do you know where the horses captured at Glenrowan were taken from?— I know one was brought from Ryan's, of Gashel. That particular horse I was in treaty to purchase. He had offered it for £50, and I offered £45.
2385 Was he a stable-fed horse?— She was a stable-fed mare, a fine jumper and hunter.
2386 Do you know the other horses that were captured?— No, I do not.
2387 Do you know who claimed them?— No.
2388 That one you did know?— I saw a party of three men with four horses going under circumstances that made me confident they were a relief party. I reported it at Lake Rowan , and found they had not passed through Lake Rowan , and so I knew they must have come from some relative of Edward Kelly's living in that neighborhood-that is the place where the hut was inspected by Mr. Nicolson.
2389 Have you any knowledge that they had any amount of horses in the Upper King district?— I have heard that they had horses in the neighborhood of Tallangatta once.
2390 Do you know that they had relatives close at the bank robbery at Euroa?— I do not know that, that was not one of the places mentioned that contained relatives Ben Gould lived there, a strong sympathizer.
2391 You still continue to say, in your opinion, every effort was made by the police during the two years they were out there?— I do say that, very emphatically, principally the officers.
2392 Were you not, as police magistrate of the district, responsible, to a certain extent, for the state of the district?— All through I felt they were acting in a very fine, spirited, admirable manner. I say that in regard to every one — Captain Standish, Mr. Nicolson, Mr. Hare, every one as far as it appeared to me showed a strong desire to do his duty, and as far as I knew they were in perfect harmony together.
2393 Did you consider it as being your duty, to maintain the peace of the district, to write to your Government, or head of your department, to say that steps were not taken properly or the reverse?— I did once remonstrate with the Government on what I thought was a mistake.
2394 It would be your absolute duty if you saw inefficiency on the part of the police to take such a step for the maintenance of the peace?— Yes.
2395 At once to draw the attention of the Government to any maladministration of the department of police?— It would, and I should have done it.
2396 Whom would you communicate with?— The head of the department — the Attorney-General or Minister of Justice, whoever might be the head.
2397 What department are the police under-I think the Chief Secretary?— Yes.
2398 Would you have considered it your duty, if you saw anything wrong on the part of the police, such as want of duty, or want of efficiency, to at once communicate with the head of the department as to facts?— No, I would first communicate it to the subordinate officers, and try to effect a remedy through them.
2399 Who?— The person under the head-Mr. Nicolson, or whoever it might be....
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