Royal Commission report day 22 page 7
The Royal Commission evidence for 18/5/1881
(see also introduction to day 22)
SConst Kelly giving evidence
8100 You are quite sure that Mr. Hare went back to the station after he was shot and came back again?— Yes; he spoke to me.
8101 Do you remember where he was standing—what position was he in when he said “Stop firing”?— He came back after getting his hand bound.
8102 Where about was he?— Behind me.
8103 Where were you at that time?— Behind the corner post.
8104 Still there?— Yes.
8105 Did Mr. Hare's voice come from the right or the left?— The other men were to the left.
8106 But his voice?— From the station master's house; he went through that gate and came back through that gate—[pointing to the map.] I asked him to send up some ammunition. I asked Mr. Hare to please send up some ammunition.
8107 After he was wounded?— Yes.
8108 After he came back with his arm bandaged?— Yes.
8109 You did not think it was a serious thing, or you would not have asked your officer to send up ammunition?— I saw him going back to the railway station, and I asked him to send some ammunition—he said he felt weak.
8110 And must return to the station?— Must return to the station.
8111 Did he say “I am losing blood”?— Yes, from the loss of blood.
8112 Could you see him bleeding?— I could, quite plain.
8113 Was it bleeding under the bandage?— I could not say. I was not so close to him.
8114 Did he say “I will have to go back to the railway station”?— Yes, and I said, “Send up some ammunition.”
8115 Did he give you any orders?— He told me “For God's sake” to “surround the house.”
8116 Was that after he came back from the railway station?— There was not five minutes between the time he was back.
8117 Then he twice repeated the orders to surround the house?— I ran down to the railway station—that is to the station master’s house. I mean it was there Mr. Rawlings brought the ammunition. I found it was the wrong ammunition. It was ammunition for the breech-loading guns.
8118 What breech-loading guns?— That the constables used to use.
8119 For their double-barrelled guns?— Yes.
8120 That was shot ammunition?— Yes, it was—all rifles, only one.
8121 I must ask you to be particular about that, for I intend to examine you particularly about the arms the men had. You Know what arms the men under you had?— Yes, I know.
8122 What did you do when you found the ammunition was not right?— Mrs. Stanistreet, the station master's wife, said, “You should not come here.” I said, “For God's sake, go out of here—you will get shot here—take the children with you.” She said “Where will I go?”
8123 What did you reply?— I said, “Cannot you go over to MacDonald's?” She said, “No, I will not go there.” “Well,” I said, “go out in the bush, towards Greta. There will be no danger there.”
8124 Did she go?— I believe she did. I had an overcoat on me, and a sling for the gun. I threw off the overcoat and the sling, and left them there. I had a wideawake hat, and I stuck it in my pocket. I went up then to Mr. O'Connor.
8125 Where was Mr. O'Connor at this time?— In the drain referred to on the map—inside the railway fence.
8126 How long was that after the first volley?— Five or six minutes, I suppose.
8127 Those things were done, and in a hurry?— All in a hurry.
8128 How long was it after Mr. Hare went back with the request to send ammunition that you found Mr. O'Connor in the railway drain?— A few minutes.....
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