Royal Commission report day 24 page 7
The Royal Commission evidence for 1/6/1881
(see also introduction to day 24)
Sgt Steele giving evidence
9329 By Mr. Hare (to the witness)— Are you certain that Mr. Smith had any men there?— I know Constable Twoomey told me he had.
9330 Mounted or foot?— The foot men were mounted then; five or six I think Twoomey told me.
9331 Do you know the names of any of the men who were stationed at Wangaratta then?— Yes.
9332 Who kept the books while you were away?— Sometimes they were not kept at all; they lay there till I came back
9333 It can be found, from the occurrence book, what men were available for Mr. Smith on that day?— I think it would be very difficult to tell, because there were parties out nearly every day.
9334 The books would tell?— Not if the books were neglected. —
9335 Constable Twoomey can tell?— Yes. I think there were three foot men and three mounted men.
9336 Do you know that the station master at Wangaratta put in a claim to the Reward Board, in consequence of the information he gave that morning?— No, I do not.
9337 Did he say it was not his fault that the Kellys were not caught–that the information was certain, and that you had been heard to say it was the best information since the Kellys were out?— I never heard that. The station master was not the first that told me.
9338 Did you receive a telegram about it?— No, not at all–it was merely gossip about it, and I told Mr. Sadleir all about it; and I have already given full evidence as to what I did.
9339 Did you go to Rats' Castle?— Yes.
9340 You went to Beechworth first?— Yes, and on to Rats' Castle, and got, late at night, into Yackandandah.
9341 By the Commission— When did you first see Mr. Sadleir after that?— Some lays after.
9342 About what day?— About three days after.
9343 Then three days went on before you gave the information to Mr. Sadleir?— It might have been two or three.
9344 By Mr. Hare — What information did you go upon to Rats' Castle?— On information received by the Inspecting Superintendent (Mr. Nicolson). I believe that this bell brand was recognized on the horse.
9345 That the horse had been seen there?— Yes.
9346 By the Commission (to Mr. Hare)— You were not in the district then?— No.
Mr. Sadleir objected to Mr. Hare's line of examination.
The Chairman intimated to Mr. Hare that it would be better not to pursue the course of examination objected to.
9347 By the Commission (to the witness)— Was it not clearly your duty to do as you did, and let your officer, he having got the information, take the steps he thought desirable?— Yes, I thought so.
9348 Did you know how many men Mr. Smith had with him?— Twoomey told me five or six men, when I asked him.
9349 And you had thirteen men?— Yes; there were two parties amalgamated–Constable James's and mine, and there was very good information received at the Murray flats, and I knew that country.
9350 That was old information, and you were quite satisfied the other was the Kellys?— It was possible I might have been mistaken, but my opinion was that it was the outlaws.
9351 It was clearly your duty to let Mr. Sadleir know this at once?— I sent to the Inspector of Police, who was at the station; and I had to do my own duty.
9352 By Mr. Hare— Do you remember, on my return to Wangaratta, after Mr. Nicolson went down the second time, the conversation I had with you about agents–about the system of employing agents–about the middle of June?— Yes; I recollect you were very different in your manner. You seemed to adopt a different system, and to place more reliance on your sub-officers then, when you came back the second time. I could understand from your manner on the second visit that you intended to work with the sub-officers.
9353 Did I not on the first occasion?— Not with me. When I say “did not work,” I think you might have let me know a little more.
9354 Was I over you?— I was in charge of a certain party.
9355 I spoke to you about agents?— I do not recollect it.....
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