Changes
Import from source
Story of the KellyGang - the Royal Commission evidence
[[Royal Commission report day 34 page 10|previous page]] / [[Royal Commission report day 34 page 12|next page]]
== The Royal Commission evidence for 29/6/1881 ==
''''''
=== full text ===
(see also introduction to [[Royal Commission report 29/6/1881|day 34]])
'''SConst [[SConst Flood|Flood]] '''giving evidence''''''
<span id="rc12688">[[#rc12688|12688]]</span> Do you consider now that the Kellys were in the district all the time?— I believe that they were most of the time, and housed by their friends the whole of the time, except the short time they were in New South Wales.
<span id="rc12689">[[#rc12689|12689]]</span> Do you think they were back in the ranges, or in amongst their friends?— With their friends. I do not think they were in the ranges at all, except in taking a run from one friend to another.
<span id="rc12690">[[#rc12690|12690]]</span> How was it the police did not get better information about their whereabouts?— The principal thing was the way the names of informants were given in the papers. The people were frightened to give information, and also the terror that those men had struck into the people.
<span id="rc12691">[[#rc12691|12691]]</span> Was there no chance of the police seeing them at all?— No chance whatever of the police seeing them. I was the first to whom information was given that Hart was the third man; but although I had the confidence of the people there, that was the only information I got. The people were frightened to give information.
<span id="rc12692">[[#rc12692|12692]]</span> Why should the police have no chance of seeing them?— We had no information.
<span id="rc12693">[[#rc12693|12693]]</span> But by searching those [[Sympathizers|sympathizers]]' houses?— We did search their houses. We watched about their places at night–watched several places, and with no good result; but, the sympathizers were very numerous.
<span id="rc12694">[[#rc12694|12694]]</span> What led you to believe they were living upon their friends if you could never detect any of them?— From what I have heard since.
<span id="rc12695">[[#rc12695|12695]]</span> In watching those places, did you search the houses before leaving after watching all night?— No; in most cases where we watched places, we either saw through the window or through the door or cracks. I did not allow them to know we were watching. I recollect, on one occasion, when I was out with Mr. [[Nicolson|Nicolson]] that plan was adopted–placed our horses some distance away from the house, and then went there after dark; and, through the window or cracks in the door, looked into the place and listened to the conversation.
<span id="rc12696">[[#rc12696|12696]]</span> Were you out with search parties with Mr. Hare?— No.
<span id="rc12697">[[#rc12697|12697]]</span> With Mr. Sadleir?— Yes, I was out with Mr. [[Sadleir|Sadleir]] and the black trackers nearly all the time they were out in search parties.
<span id="rc12698">[[#rc12698|12698]]</span> And you never got anything to lead you on at all in going to those houses?— Nothing whatever.
<span id="rc12699">[[#rc12699|12699]]</span> The outlaws may have been in the houses all the time if the houses were not searched?— I believe it was possible for them to be about some of their friends nearly all the time.
<span id="rc12700">[[#rc12700|12700]]</span> Did you consider the going about in large parties a good method?— No, I did not.
<span id="rc12701">[[#rc12701|12701]]</span> What method would you consider now, if there was an outbreak, would be the most effectual?— I suggested a plan, on one occasion that I had charge of a party myself, that was that we go out at night, leave our horses all together, and go out to some place that we had information that they were in the habit of making, and pass through and secrete ourselves, and have provisions brought to us there at night. I sent in that report, and it was arranged that the sergeant at [[Wangaratta|Wangaratta]] was to arrange with me whenever I thought a suitable opportunity occurred for this arrangement of mine; but the [[Jerilderie|Jerilderie]] robbery took place very shortly afterwards, and it was never referred to afterwards.
<span id="rc12702">[[#rc12702|12702]]</span> Would you consider that mounted constables patrolling the district would have as good information as could be got by any others now–that they would be prepared to catch any outlaws that might go out into the field?— I do not think whatever knowledge the police had of the district at that time would have been of avail in catching the Kellys; but I know it is very important for the police to know the bush and the people, not to catch the Kellys but to prevent men going through the bush, and sweating horses and cattle and illegally using; but I do not think whatever knowledge they had, however good then, that it would have led to the arrest of the Kellys.
<span id="rc12703">[[#rc12703|12703]]</span> Do you think all the information that was given did anything towards the arrest of the Kellys?— I do not think it did. I think it was just by a fluke they were caught.
<span id="rc12704">[[#rc12704|12704]]</span> Was it not money thrown away appointing those agents, and having large parties?— When I made use of that expression I did. I meant really the result–the taking of them, but as to whether it was any use doing it I do not know.
<span id="rc12705">[[#rc12705|12705]]</span> Do you think you will be able to remember or get any information further about that log business?— The only way would be to get the books from Benalla, and find out the dates. It must be in the books at Benalla–the date I went out there. There is a record kept of the duty of the men and horses too.....
=== Previous page / Next page ===
<br />
{{MicroficheCopy}}<br />
'''The [[Royal Commission report day 33 page 1|previous day]] / [[Royal Commission report day 35 page 1|next day]] . . . Royal Commission [[Royal Commission Index|index]]''' [[RC_index.html|RC_index.html]]
[[Category:Royal Commission]] [[Category:October 1629]] [[Category:Royal Commission]] [[Category:Commisioner Standish]] [[Category:history]]
MediaWiki:Sidebar
{{^|Original page location \documents\RoyalCommission\RC810629_34_11_12688.html}}
[[Royal Commission report day 34 page 10|previous page]] / [[Royal Commission report day 34 page 12|next page]]
== The Royal Commission evidence for 29/6/1881 ==
''''''
=== full text ===
(see also introduction to [[Royal Commission report 29/6/1881|day 34]])
'''SConst [[SConst Flood|Flood]] '''giving evidence''''''
<span id="rc12688">[[#rc12688|12688]]</span> Do you consider now that the Kellys were in the district all the time?— I believe that they were most of the time, and housed by their friends the whole of the time, except the short time they were in New South Wales.
<span id="rc12689">[[#rc12689|12689]]</span> Do you think they were back in the ranges, or in amongst their friends?— With their friends. I do not think they were in the ranges at all, except in taking a run from one friend to another.
<span id="rc12690">[[#rc12690|12690]]</span> How was it the police did not get better information about their whereabouts?— The principal thing was the way the names of informants were given in the papers. The people were frightened to give information, and also the terror that those men had struck into the people.
<span id="rc12691">[[#rc12691|12691]]</span> Was there no chance of the police seeing them at all?— No chance whatever of the police seeing them. I was the first to whom information was given that Hart was the third man; but although I had the confidence of the people there, that was the only information I got. The people were frightened to give information.
<span id="rc12692">[[#rc12692|12692]]</span> Why should the police have no chance of seeing them?— We had no information.
<span id="rc12693">[[#rc12693|12693]]</span> But by searching those [[Sympathizers|sympathizers]]' houses?— We did search their houses. We watched about their places at night–watched several places, and with no good result; but, the sympathizers were very numerous.
<span id="rc12694">[[#rc12694|12694]]</span> What led you to believe they were living upon their friends if you could never detect any of them?— From what I have heard since.
<span id="rc12695">[[#rc12695|12695]]</span> In watching those places, did you search the houses before leaving after watching all night?— No; in most cases where we watched places, we either saw through the window or through the door or cracks. I did not allow them to know we were watching. I recollect, on one occasion, when I was out with Mr. [[Nicolson|Nicolson]] that plan was adopted–placed our horses some distance away from the house, and then went there after dark; and, through the window or cracks in the door, looked into the place and listened to the conversation.
<span id="rc12696">[[#rc12696|12696]]</span> Were you out with search parties with Mr. Hare?— No.
<span id="rc12697">[[#rc12697|12697]]</span> With Mr. Sadleir?— Yes, I was out with Mr. [[Sadleir|Sadleir]] and the black trackers nearly all the time they were out in search parties.
<span id="rc12698">[[#rc12698|12698]]</span> And you never got anything to lead you on at all in going to those houses?— Nothing whatever.
<span id="rc12699">[[#rc12699|12699]]</span> The outlaws may have been in the houses all the time if the houses were not searched?— I believe it was possible for them to be about some of their friends nearly all the time.
<span id="rc12700">[[#rc12700|12700]]</span> Did you consider the going about in large parties a good method?— No, I did not.
<span id="rc12701">[[#rc12701|12701]]</span> What method would you consider now, if there was an outbreak, would be the most effectual?— I suggested a plan, on one occasion that I had charge of a party myself, that was that we go out at night, leave our horses all together, and go out to some place that we had information that they were in the habit of making, and pass through and secrete ourselves, and have provisions brought to us there at night. I sent in that report, and it was arranged that the sergeant at [[Wangaratta|Wangaratta]] was to arrange with me whenever I thought a suitable opportunity occurred for this arrangement of mine; but the [[Jerilderie|Jerilderie]] robbery took place very shortly afterwards, and it was never referred to afterwards.
<span id="rc12702">[[#rc12702|12702]]</span> Would you consider that mounted constables patrolling the district would have as good information as could be got by any others now–that they would be prepared to catch any outlaws that might go out into the field?— I do not think whatever knowledge the police had of the district at that time would have been of avail in catching the Kellys; but I know it is very important for the police to know the bush and the people, not to catch the Kellys but to prevent men going through the bush, and sweating horses and cattle and illegally using; but I do not think whatever knowledge they had, however good then, that it would have led to the arrest of the Kellys.
<span id="rc12703">[[#rc12703|12703]]</span> Do you think all the information that was given did anything towards the arrest of the Kellys?— I do not think it did. I think it was just by a fluke they were caught.
<span id="rc12704">[[#rc12704|12704]]</span> Was it not money thrown away appointing those agents, and having large parties?— When I made use of that expression I did. I meant really the result–the taking of them, but as to whether it was any use doing it I do not know.
<span id="rc12705">[[#rc12705|12705]]</span> Do you think you will be able to remember or get any information further about that log business?— The only way would be to get the books from Benalla, and find out the dates. It must be in the books at Benalla–the date I went out there. There is a record kept of the duty of the men and horses too.....
=== Previous page / Next page ===
<br />
{{MicroficheCopy}}<br />
'''The [[Royal Commission report day 33 page 1|previous day]] / [[Royal Commission report day 35 page 1|next day]] . . . Royal Commission [[Royal Commission Index|index]]''' [[RC_index.html|RC_index.html]]
[[Category:Royal Commission]] [[Category:October 1629]] [[Category:Royal Commission]] [[Category:Commisioner Standish]] [[Category:history]]
MediaWiki:Sidebar
{{^|Original page location \documents\RoyalCommission\RC810629_34_11_12688.html}}
