Royal Commission report day 27 page 15
The Royal Commission evidence for 8/6/1881
(see also introduction to day 27)
Mr Allen giving evidence
10882 Did you hear any other orders given?— No.
10883 Did you hear the order given to let the women out, any time in the morning?— No.
10884 You stated you heard the women challenged?— Yes. I heard them challenged down at the railway, gate, crossing the line, and the man who challenged them also added, “Come here, and show yourselves.” As they were approaching some fire was opened from the drain.
10885 Would you swear positively that the man was about the railway gate?— Yes, about the railway gate—[explaining on the plan]. You could hear the challenge distinctly from the station, but could not tell exactly for a few yards where it was.
10886 You stated you heard the order to fire high?— Yes.
10887 And the Chairman informed you he saw the corrugated iron perforated with bullets?— Yes.
10888 Do you not remember the report and rumor that the outlaws were said to be in the rafters or tie beams of the roof?— Yes; it was rumored that they were in the chimney at the time.
10889 Would you not consider firing into the roof was a good plan to hit them if they were in the rafters?— Of course.
10890 By the Commission— Did you hear it reported that day that one of them was seen with his head stuck out of the top of the chimney?— Yes.
10891 Did you believe that?— No.
10892 Have you examined the chimneys since?— When the fire was going on I did.
10893 You have not examined them since?— No.
10894 You are not aware that any man could get up those chimneys?— No, I did not believe it.
10895 Was that the reason they were told to fire in the chimney?— No; I think the order to fire high was for the purpose of saving the persons in the hotel.
10896 Not to shoot the outlaws if they were coming out of the chimney or roof ?— No, that was my impression as to why the order was given, to save the women and children.
10897 By Mr. O'Connor— One of the witnesses yesterday stated that the train or the carriage containing the ladies went down, he believed, with Mr. Hare — is that a fact?— No. Mr. Hare went on the engine. The ladies remained there some considerable time after Kelly was captured.
The witness withdrew. ....
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