Royal Commission report day 20 page 2
The Royal Commission evidence for 14/5/1881
(see also introduction to day 20)
Const Canny giving evidence
7402 As late as twelve?— Eleven or twelve; I could not be positive as to time.
7403 Did you see Mr. O'Connor giving any orders between the time Mr. Hare left and those men coming out?— No, not to the police. I received no orders.
7404 Did you see him at all?— Yes; he was in the drain at the time
7405 What distance from you?— Ten or fifteen yards, I should think
7406 Could he not give an order without your hearing?— No; I must have heard him.
7407 Where next did you see Mr. O'Connor—did you say you saw him when the men were let out?— I saw him when the men were let out; he was with Mr. Sadleir then on this side of the house.
7408 Had he passed you in the drain?— I do not know which way he went. I think Mr. Sadleir sent a man for him to say he wanted him.
7409 Where did he meet Mr. Sadleir?— I think on the north side. I beg your pardon, I believe Mr. Sadleir went to Mr. O'Connor first in the drain. I saw him go to him. Then Mr. Sadleir went to where Constable Gascoigne was, and I could not see where he went then.
7410 Was Mr. O'Connor with him when he went round to see Gascoigne?— No
7411 Was Gascoigne further on the Benalla side; Yes, he was on the Benalla side when Mr. Sadleir arrived.
7412 Did you receive any orders at all from Mr. O'Connor during the day?— No.
7413 Did you act under his orders at all?— No? I took up the best position I could. After Mr. Hare was wounded I saw no one to give orders.
7414 Did you see Mr. O'Connor after the interview with Mr. Sadleir; what time would that interview be?— I could not say the time exactly; about eight or nine, perhaps.
7415 Did you see him after the Kellys' prisoners were let out of the house?— Yes, several times.
7416 Where was he?— On the Wangaratta side of Jones's hotel.
7417 How far away?— About 60 yards, I should think.
7418 Was he taking an,, active part in the fight?— Oh yes, at that time.
7419 Was Senior-Constable Kelly on the ground?— Yes, he was there.
7420 Did he give any orders?— I received none from him.
7421 Was he considered by the men as the one who should give orders?— Yes, I considered so.
7422 You all looked upon him as your superior officer when Mr. Hare was away?— Yes.
7423 By Mr. Sadleir— Was that after I arrived?— I mean before you arrived.
7424 By the Commission— Where was Mr. Sadleir during this time—after he arrived?— He first went to the other side of the house, where Gascoigne was, and I could not say where after. I suppose he must have gone round the house after that.
7425 Where did you next see him?— Here, at the north side of the hotel
7426 Was he near the hotel?— Yes, he was within about 50 or 60 yards of the hotel, at this end.
7427 Did you consider that the Kellys were kept much longer in the house than they were needed to be; would you have been willing to rush the house?— Yes; if we had orders, I would have made one.
7428 You did not propose it to your officer?— No.
7429 Do you know that a proposal of that sort was made?— I heard so. I never heard it made.
7430 Did you remain in that one position all day?— Till the prisoners came out, and then I went out to them, to where Mr. Sadleir was, on the north side.
7431 Was it far from where Kelly was caught that you saw Mr. Sadleir?— Just about the same place. I was not there when Kelly was captured. I know whereabouts it is.
7432 Was Mr. O'Connor with Mr. Sadleir then?— When the prisoners came out, I think he was.....
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