Royal Commission report day 22 page 27
The Royal Commission evidence for 18/5/1881
(see also introduction to day 22)
SConst Kelly giving evidence
8683 By the Commission— Are you talking of all the horses?— Yes; I remember we had all the horses in trucks just before the train came up.
8684 By Mr. O' Connor— Upon arriving at Glenrowan, or rather when the train stopped–not at the station–upon the train stopping did not you see a porter walking up to the train, or a guard, carrying a lamp?— Yes, I think so. I spoke to Archie McFie.
8685 Did not you see him come to the carriage door to Mr. Hare and speak to him?— No.
8686 Where did he go to?— Mr. Hare came out before the man spoke to him.
8687 Where did Mr. Hare meet him?— Close to the guard's van.
8688 That is in the rear of the train?— No, in the front of it, next to the engine.
8689 The guard's van?— Yes, that was attached to the engine.
8690 Is it not usual to attach the guard's van to the end of the train?— I do not know, but it war, attached to the engine on that night, and I and Constable Barry and another man were in the van attached to the engine.
8691 Upon arriving at Glenrowan' you state that you commenced to take the horses out at once?—
8692 Who gave you that order?— Mr. Hare, before he went down to the station master's house.
8693 Did he give you a reason for taking out the horses?— No, he did not wait a second.
8694 He did not say a word?— No, only, “Kelly, get out the horses.”
8695 You also stated that Mr. Hare went direct for the house?— He did.
8696 And that you ran along parallel with or along the line?— Yes.
8697 Which was the longest way?— The line, I believe.
8698 Considerably longer?— I do not think it is considerably longer.
8699 Did you run till you got outside the fence. That was what I understood you to say?— Yes.
8700 You ran along the line?— Yes, out of the gate.
8701 Would you reeognize upon the plan?— I saw it.
8702 You see it is considerably the longer way round?— Yes,
8703 What delayed Mr. Hare from arriving at the house long before you did?— He did arrive before I did.
8704 And the firing was over?— No, it was just commenced. I was behind him, I suppose, seven or eight, or ten yards. Mr. Rawlins and I ran down there. I remember him well. I do not know whether any of the other men were there.
8705 Returning to the railway platform again–you said that you placed Constable Barry as guard over the rear?— Yes.
8706 If he swears that he accompanied Mr. Hare down to Stanistreet it would not be true?— I know well that I placed Constable Barry there. I remember putting one man to go and guard at the back of the station, and I am certain it was Barry.
8707 You swear to-day that you put him there while Mr. Hare went down to see Mr. Stanistreet and Rawlins. Barry swears -that he accompanied Mr. Hare down?— I know I put him on guard. I suppose they were not two minutes–not a minute.
8708 By the Commission— What is the distance between the station and the station master's house?— About 100 yards, I suppose.
8709 How far were you behind Superintendent Hare upon making a start?— We were getting our arms. Mr. Hare rushed the moment Bracken appeared, and we were behind, getting our arms.
8710 Would you be one minute behind trim?— Scarcely; we might be.
8711 How many extra yards would you have to go?— I do not know.
8712 Would it be twenty?— I do not think so.....
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