Royal Commission report day 19 page 18
The Royal Commission evidence for 13/5/1881
(see also introduction to day 19)
Sgt Whelan giving evidence
6350 What will their duties be?— They have been tested, and the reports have been very favorable by the constable in charge of them.
6351 What is his name?—Kirkham.
6352 Had he a thorough knowledge of the others?— He had charge of them after Constable King was sent back to Queensland under Mr. O'Connor, and held charge of them till they went away, and then took charge of those taken when they were enlisted by Mr. Chomley. Constable Kirkham then appointed in charge by Mr. Sadleir, and he has had charge of them under me since.
6353 Are you daily in the habit of seeing those trackers, and hearing Kirkham's reports on them?— Yes.
6354 How long have you known Kirkham?— He came up about October, 1878, shortly after the Kellys broke out.
6355 Is he competent to form an opinion as to the two parties?—I think he is.
6356 Do you remember when Mr. Hare relieved Mr. Nicolson at the final matter a few weeks before the capture of the Kellys?— Yes.
6357 Do you recollect—Have you read the report of this inquiry in the papers?— Some of them, in the Age, but they are not given fully in the Age.
6358 Do you know of your own knowledge that there is some misconception, or whatever it may be called, as between the present Assistant-Commissioner of Police and Mr. Hare, as to full information being given to him when he assumed the final command on the 2nd of June?— I do not know what information Mr. Nicolson gave Mr. Hare, but I know each of the officers at that time—any information I got or knew of.
6359 I did not ask that. Do you know there was any misconception between the two?— I heard of it.
6360 Did you know or were you informed at that time that the Kellys were likely to meet your comrades in armour?— Yes, I heard it.
6361 Who informed you? Do not give the name if it is an outsider?— I had better not give the name, as it is from outside.
6362 Did you communicate, or had you any conversation about the fact of their appearing in armour with any of your officers?— I took the informant to both my officers, Mr. Nicolson and Mr. Hare.
6363 Did you believe yourself that, whenever you were called upon to meet the Kellys, you would meet them in armour?— I did not consider it was an idle report, on account of mould-boards being stolen, but I came to the conclusion, and Mr. Nicolson thought so too, that they had made a stronghold, and were lining it, as they were afraid of being tracked by black trackers. This man, the informant, said the armour was being made to fit them to ride in. I did not believe it; and Mr. Hare, the same week they came to Glenrowan, was told it too, and I came to the conclusion.
6364 What week would that be?— After the 20th of June; in fact, the informant was here, and we both saw him.
6365 Did he mention about the armour in your presence?— No; he told me he had told Mr. Hare.
6366 Did Mr. Hare have a conversation with you that led you to believe Mr. Hare believed it?— That he did not believe about it; I think it was on the Thursday, and they broke out on the Sunday evening.
6367 Be very cautious about these dates. I understand you to say that you were aware, from a conversation with Mr. Hare, that at a certain period Mr. Hare, was aware that the Kellys were to appear in armour?— It was not stated that they were to appear in it, but that they had it, merely making it.
6368 Try and fix the time you had that conversation with Mr. Hare?— I am almost positive it would be the same week the Kellys broke out at Glenrowan—between the two Sundays.
6369 Did Mr. Hare seem from his conversation with you to be then for the first time informed of it?— I am not sure. I could not say, but he did not appear to believe it; and he pooh-poohed the idea; and he thought that this informant—he said, “Well, he has only the one story every time he comes"; and I had a great opinion of the informant at the time; I said, “Well, I have only told you I believe, and I think that the man will tell nothing but what he hears and believes to be true; but, of course, he may be misled.”
6370 Are you aware it has been given in evidence that a letter was accessible to Mr. Hare with the information upon his coming into the district that the Kellys were preparing armour?— I did not know of that.....
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