The Argus at KellyGang 6/4/1881 (5)
Hare giving evidence
Mr Rosier immediately gave information to the police. The police had requested Melbourne gunsmiths to inform them when ammunition of this peculiar sort was purchased A large quantity of New South Wales notes was stolen from Jerilderie. A bundle of notes, about £30 or £40, was once paid into a bank at Wangaratta. The police got information, and telegraphed to Sydney to ascertain if the notes, of which we had the numbers, had been sent from Sydney to Jerilderie.
The reply was, "Yes
Asked the bank at Jerilderie with regard to these notes, and were told in reply they could not be identified. Asked the man who paid them in where ho got them from, and he said he was accused of getting them from me for information he had given to me. Told him he knew very well I had not given the notes to him, but he would give no other answer than that it was said I had given him the notes. Believe the notes stolen from Jerilderie bore consecutive numbers. No action was taken against the parties circulating New South Wales notes at the time because the Jerilderie bank could not identify them. It struck me that the bank did not care about going on with the matter. Mr Sadleir can give more information about this matter.
Another man paid in New South Wales notes into a bank, Mrs Skillion used to go round and round her house with doors, and often find police watching it Mrs Skillion and Kate Kelly and a child lived in her house, but no man of the Kelly breed. They frequently got supplies at Benalla for the outlaws. Once Mrs Skillion knew the police were watching the house, and they did not know she knew it. In the morning he rode off with a bundle. They followed her, and at last came upon her sitting on a log with her fingers to her head. It was difficult to conceal the search parties by day. The police must leave peculiar tracks. They were always found. With regard to the Glenrowan affair, I did not give orders to " cease firing ' as soon as I heard the cries in the hotel. That order was not given until the outlaws had ceased firing. With regard to the Power affair, I had a good deal to do with the search for him prior to being sent there. Was then in charge of the Bourke district. Sent out many parties in search of him from my district. After he had been out l8 months.
Captain Standish told me Sir James M'Culloch had decided I should be sent to take charge of the Power operations. I protested that there were senior officers to me, but had to go Was told I should have carte blanche Mr Nicolson was then superintendent of police in charge of the Kyneton district He asked me if I would take him with me. Said, "Certainly, I shall be only too glad." But I suggested that his health was not quite good. He consulted his doctor, who said he might go. Sergeant (now Inspector) Montfort was then a clerk in my office. Directed him where to meet Mr Nicolson and I. Picked out five of the best men in my district, who had not been to the Benalla district, and sent them up there. On the 28th May, 1870, Mr Nicolson and I started for Benalla, where we got on the Saturday night, and met Mr Montfort.
The following day (Sunday) obtained a blackfellow from Benalla, and made our plans. On the morning of the following Sunday we captured Power. Previously Mr Nicolson told me he was senior officer, and should take the lead. I said, "All right” When we got to a place where a track ran up a hill the blackfellow told us there was smoke up the mountain. We rushed up the track-Mr Nicolson first, I next, and Mr Montfort next. We were all close together. As we went up we saw smoke, then tree, and then a gunyah. When Mr Nicolson got 10 yards from the gunyah he beckoned me to go to the back of the hut. I fixed my eyes on the feet of a man lying under the gunyah, and we all simultaneously laid hold of the foot. The man, who was Power, was fast asleep at the time, and bowled loudly. We handcuffed him and took him to Wangaratta that day’s distance of 50 miles-and sent a telegram announcing Power's capture, which was signed by Mr Nicolson. 1 considered myself the organiser of that party. I took who I liked. Had orders from Captain Standish to do what I liked in the matter.
The commission adjourned until 11 o'clock next day.'
end
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