Royal Commission report day 20 page 8
The Royal Commission evidence for 14/5/1881
(see also introduction to day 20)
Const Canny giving evidence
7589 By Mr. Hare — Coming to another part where Ned Kelly came out the second time, did you hear my voice then?— Yes.
7590 Where were you—in which direction?— In the Wangaratta direction.
7591 And you were lying in front of the house?— Yes.
7592 Was it near a tree?— Yes.
7593 Did you hear me say anything to Ned Kelly?— I heard you say to him, I think, that you wanted to speak to him.
7594 By the Commission— What time was it when you heard him speak a second time—how long after the first?— Ten or fifteen minutes it might be.
7595 By Mr. Hare— Could I have had time to run up to the station and be back to have my hand bandaged?— Yes.
7596 Mr. O’Connor — Did you see which way Mr. Hare went after he was wounded?— He tried to get over the railway fence.
7597 Did you lose sight of him?— Yes, I lost sight of him, and then I heard him speaking on the fence to one of the outlaws when one came out to fire.
7598 That was in the first ten minutes?— Ten or fifteen minutes, it might have been more.
7599 You could not swear he went down to the station and got his wound dressed and came back?— No.
7600 He might have been there the whole time without coming to the station?— Yes.
7601 By Mr. Hare— You saw me leave—retreat, and then saw me next by the gum-tree?— Yes. —[Witness explained the positions upon the plan.]
The witness withdrew.
James Reardon sworn and examined .
7602 By the Commission— What are you?— I am a laborer on the railway line.
7603 Do you remember the night that the Kellys had you all in Mrs. Jones' hotel, prisoners?— Yes, on the night of the 27th.
7604 What time were you taken into the hotel?— Well, it might be about six o'clock on Sunday morning.
7605 And were you kept in the hotel all day?— Yes, and all night.
7606 How many were in the hotel prisoners—about?— Well, I counted 62 altogether on Sunday evening, and I could name the lot if I was at home now.
7607 Did the Kellys use you for any purpose?— Yes, they took me on Sunday morning from my own place. It was twenty minutes past two when I left my house—he took me to break the line; he had a man named Sullivan, a repairer on the line, in charge at the time—that was Ned Kelly, and then I heard the dogs barking, making a row, and I got up and dressed myself and and went outside the door, and heard a horse whinneying down by the railway line, and I went towards where I heard the horse. I thought it was the horse of a friend, and I went down, and Sullivan was coming through the railway fence, and I said, “What is the matter?” and he said, “I am taken prisoner by this man.” Ned Kelly came up and put a revolver to my cheek and said, “What is your name?” and I said “Reardon,” and he said, “I want you to come up and break the line.” he said, “I was in Beechworth last night, and I had a great contract with the police—I have shot a lot of them, and I expect a train from Benalla with a lot of police and black-fellows, and I am going to kill all the.” I said, “For God's sake, do not take me—I have got a large family to look after.” He said, “I have got several others up, but they are no use to me,” and I said, “They can do it without me,” and he said, “You must do it or I will shoot you,” and he took my wife and seven or eight children to the station. When we came to this small tool-house, that chest was broken and the tools lying out on the side of the line. He said, “Pick up what tools you want,” and I took two spanners and a hammer, and I said, “I have no more to take,” and he said, “Where are your bars?" and I said, “Two or three miles away;” I said, “In front of my place,” and he sent Steve Hart for them, and he came in a few minutes after himself. When I went on the ground I said to Hart, “You have plenty men without me doing it.” “All right,” he says, and he pointed to the contractor from Benalla, and said, “You take the spanner.” (JJK) 7608 Was that McHugh?— Yes, Jack McHugh, I think. He took the spanner, and I instructed him, on being made, how to use it. Ned Kelly came up, and said, “Old man, you are a long time breaking up this road.” I said, “I cannot do it quicker.” And he said, “I will make you do it quicker. If you do not look sharp I will tickle you up with this revolver.” And I said, “I cannot do it quicker, do what you will.” And he said, “Give me no cheek.” So we broke the road. He wanted four lengths broken. I said, “One will do as well as twenty.” And he said, “Do you think so?” And I said I was certain.
7609 Why did you say that?— Because I thought if only one was off the train would jump it and go on safely.
7610 Did Ned Kelly point out the place?— Hart did.
7611 Then he brought you all up to Mrs. Jones's?— Yes, we came to the station and remained at the gate-house, where the station-master lived, for perhaps two hours.....
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