The Argus at KellyGang 20/4/1881 (2)
Mr Wyatt giving evidence
He himself saw a party of three men going with four horses under circumstances which excited the suspicion that they were going to the Kellys from a relative. Witness felt assured that the police were acting in a very efficient and admirable manner throughout, and every one appeared to be imbued with the desire to do his duty. Witness never wrote to the head of the department complaining that proper steps were not being taken. It would have been his duty to have called attention to any case of inefficiency, and he would have done it. He had never had occasion to find fault, except that he wrote to Sir Bryan O'Loghlen, when Acting Chief Secretary, urging that certain sympathisers who were held in custody should be discharged, and his advice was acted upon. He believed the persons alluded to were arrested under Captain Standish's order. Witness had never heard that the police of the district were very anxious to be led by Mr Hare. Witness was not aware of it of his own personal know- ledge. He knew that Mr Hare was much liked, more so than other officers.
Mr GRAVES – And you are still strongly convinced that the plan adopted by Mr Nicolson was the one most likely to effect the capture?
Witness was perfectly certain of it, and regarded the capture as only a matter of time. He anticipated that it would take place at about the time when it did, and thought it a fortunate accident that Mr Hare was present at the time. Witness never pooh-poohed Nicolson to Captain Standish, he never expressed disapproval of him. Witness could not say whether the Kellys got provisions from Benalla. He heard that they got ammunition from Melbourne . Detective Ward told him that Kate Kelly and one of the Lloyds went to Hosier's in Melbourne for ammunition of a certain sort, and information was at once given to the police.
To Mr GIBB – Witness believed the black trackers to be extremely efficient, and that they would follow a track as well as it could possibly be done. In answer to Mr Sadleir, witness stated that he took steps to have the interruption of the telegraph line be known as early as possible. He communicated with the police.
To Mr Hare – Witness was not aware that Mr Hare had many agents in his employment. He regarded Mr Hare's plan as inconsistent with that of Mr Nicolson. Witness had never suggested any particular plan himself.
A discussion here arose with regard to certain documents which Mr Hare desired to procure from the department, to be used in evidence, and they were ordered to be obtained.
Mr Sadleir further deposed, – With regard to the breakage of the telegraph wires by the outlaws in connexion with the Euroa outbreak, eight telegrams were sent from Benalla that day. One was sent to the office at Benalla about 6pm for the chief commissioner in Melbourne , and was not for- warded until 9pm . We were not informed the telegram was delayed. The other telegrams were sent the Beechworth way, where there were no breakages. After that time it was arranged that when the wires were interrupted the police should be told. From the time of the police murders to the capture of the gang there 64 reported appearances of the gang. The reported appearances were much less frequent after the arrival of the Queensland trackers. The artillery were withdrawn on January 1, 1880 . I strongly advised Captain Standish against the withdrawal of the Queensland trackers. I recommended Mr Hare not to come to the district, because I disapproved of his way of search. I was perfectly satisfied with the arrangements of Messrs Nicolson and O'Connor and myself. We were working well together, and I felt perfectly satisfied that our system would shortly have effected the desired end. I was present when Mr Nicolson resigned the district to Mr Hare, in the middle of 1880. Mr Nicolson after speaking to Mr Hare, asked me if he had forgotten anything. Mr Nicolson had also asked me to give all information to Mr Hare Mr Nicolson explained matters thoroughly to Mr Hare. There was an understanding that if Mr Hare kept on the agents employed by Mr Nicolson, he must do so on his own responsibility. Some of the agents had stipulated that they should not be placed under any other officer without their prior assent.
To Mr Nicolson – The only complaint Mr Hare made as to you was about the discharge of some agents by you on the day he relieved you. You told Mr Hare everything I knew and I was thoroughly conversant with the business.
To Mr Hare – I think that in 15 minutes Mr Nicolson could have given you all the necessary information as to the character of the agents then employed, and as to what they were then doing .I told some agents when you took charge of the district that they must arrange with you.
Mr Nicolson (to the Commission) – I sent the telegram to Senior-constable Mullane as to the agents just as I was leaving for Melbourne after Mr Hare had relieved me. Had not thought of sending it before. I sent it because I had engaged the agents, and was responsible to them. They might have claimed expenses from me if I had not sent the telegram.
Mr Sadleir – Mr Nicolson did not tell me he was going, to send or that he had sent the telegram to Mullane. I think Mr Nicolson should have told Mr Hare he had sent it. Mr Nicolson gave Mr Hare to understand that when he took charge, he must be responsible for all special services. Mr Hare complained to me the day after Mr Nicolson left that the latter discharged all his agents. Mr Hare was puzzled, and so was I. Mr Hare knew where to find all the agents. It was arranged I should see some of the agents and ask them to serve under Mr Hare.
