Royal Commission report day 13 page 6
The Royal Commission evidence for 14/4/1881
(see also introduction to day 13)
Superintendent Sadeir giving evidence
2832 What time was it?— Ten o'clock . Not a shot was fired at this time. They came by me. We sorted them, and retained two of them, whom we took to be sympathizers; the rest we let go.
2833 Who were those two?— The two young McAuliffes.
2834 At this time were you aware of any wounded parties—I mean, did you know that Riordan's son and Mrs. Jones's child were wounded?— I knew that there were two of Mrs. Jones's children wounded.
2835 In other words, I want to fix the time (if any) that the children that were shot in this attack came out of the house, because it is stated that they were brought out by one of the detenus—the prisoners in the house?— I think both Mrs. Jones's children, who were wounded, had left the house long before this
2836 Can you fix the time?— It would be before my arrival if they had left it before. The only one I remember coming out was young Riordan; he came out, wounded in the shoulder, with the other prisoners.
2837 Do you know that one of the prisoners carried out one of the wounded children before that? —I know it was the fact; I did not see it myself. I did not see the man. All those wounded children and the women had escaped before I came to the ground (and Mrs. Jones's two children), before my arrival from Benalla at all. I think it was ten minutes past ten, and they came in about three minutes.
2838 Where was Mr. O'Connor at this time?— Standing beside me, I think. He had been a few minutes before, if not then.
2839 Did you see those that came out?— I sorted them, and retained two prisoners.
2840 Did you see some of those that made their escape before your arrival at Glenrowan?— I think not at this time.
2841 Did you see a man named McHugh?— No; never, to my knowledge.
2842 It is said that after the shooting of Kelly one of the children was shot, and a man called Neil McHugh took it up in his arms, and brought it out to the police, and informed the police of the position inside?— Which shooting of Kelly? He was shot twice.
2843 After the capture of Ned Kelly the statement is?— That cannot be true.
2844 Would it have been before the capture?— It must have been.
2845 Have you a knowledge that Neil McHugh carried the child in the face of the fire?— I understand that it was done, but before I arrived.
2846 Did you hear about his having told the police o£ the position of prisoners in the house, and the position of the outlaws?— I did not know at that time; McHugh I never saw. I have sent since to see him, to ask some questions, but I have never seen him. We had to guard against the outlaws escaping, and we had to watch for a fair shot at them whenever they shot; that was all I concerned myself about at this time. When the prisoners came out we first heard of the death of Byrne from them, and the wounding of Cherry. We ascertained from Riordan, one of the prisoners, that Cherry was lying in a back detached building, which we could see before us. After these prisoners escaped there were several very hot volleys fired into the building. It was supposed the outlaws were fixed inside the breastwork of the chimney at one time; there were all sorts of conjectures, and we tried to break down the chimney by firing with bullets. The men saw they had no effect, and stopped it.
2847 Did you give the orders for the volley—the first after the prisoners came out?— Yes.
2848 Had you satisfied yourself that there were no persons in the place but the outlaws?— Yes, except Cherry.
2849 He was in the detached building?— Yes; and this was made known to all the police, particularlv about the wounded man being there and where he was.
2850 Was the volley all round the place, or only from the front?— From the ends more. There were only one or two men in front. From both ends and the back. I saw that our shooting had no effect upon the building, and was still somewhat puzzled what to do.
2851 There was no answer of fire then?— Yes, there w ere answers of fire long after this.
2852 Up to what time— how long after that volley, after the prisoners had cleared out; how long after that can you say that there was any answer of shot from the building?— I could not say. I had lost count of the time starting so early in the day. When I thought it was five in the afternoon I found by my watch it was only twelve, so I could not guess......
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