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ARRIVAL OF NED KELLY IN MEL-
BOURNE.
After an affecting parting with his sister at
Benalla, Kelly left by the ordinary train at
about nine o'clock. On the journey to Mel-
bourne he maintained a very reticent and
sullen demeanor, answering any questions
which were put to him very gruffly. At each
station there was a great rush of people to
obtain a glimpse of him, and on being asked by
Senior-constable Walsh if he had any objection
to their crowding round the van and looking
in, he replied that he had none. He seemed
much refreshed by his sleep on the previous
night. Dr. Ryan was most attentive, and
many times during the journey attended to
his wounds and administered stimulants to
him. Although he was unable to see any of
the country through which he passed, he dis-
played a wonderful knowledge of each locality
at which the train stopped, and at once men-
tioned the name of the station. At intervals
he slept, but he seemed to be very uneasy, and
awoke from each slumber with a violent
start. In reply to questions, he was
induced sometimes to refer to his com-
panions. On one occasion he was asked if he
knew where he was going, and he replied in
the affirmative; and later he remarked, "My
mates are all gone; it is a sad affair, but of
course it can't be helped now." He further
inquired if it was intended to lodge him in
the Melbourne Gaol, and Senior-constable
Walsh told him that that had been decided
upon. At Beveridge he said to that officer,
"Look across there to the left. Do
you see a little hill there?" Walsh
replied that he did, and the outlaw con-
tinued, "That is where I was born, about
twenty-eight years ago. Now, I am passing
through it, I suppose, to my doom." As the
train passed the Strathbogie Ranges he indi-
cated their direction. Dr. Ryan asked him if
he thought that Hart and Dan Kelly had shot
themselves and he stated that he did not bel-
ieve it, because they were too cowardly.
The rumour that was at one time circul-
ated, to the effect that Kelly visited Melb-
ourne, was remembered by Walsh, who
asked him if it was true. He replied, "It
is a question which I would not like to
answer ;" but he afterwards told his interro-
gators that he would answer any question
which affected himself, but that he would not
reply to any which regarded his late asso-
ciates. He appeared to feel his position very
much, and although the police made him as
comfortable as it was possible to do, it was
apparent that he was suffering great pain.
It was anticipated that there would be im-
mense crowds to meet the outlaw if it was
made known that he would be landed at
any particular station, so the police au-
thorities indulged in a little manoeuvring
in order to prevent anything like a rush to a
station. Barricades were erected at the Spencer-
street terminus, and Sub-inspector Larner
was despatched thither with a party of police.
That, it was thought, was a sufficient indica-
tion that it was at that place that Kelly would
be brought. A crowd accordingly gathered,
but the platform and yards were
cleared. Large numbers of people congregated
in the street, and from the windows opposite
and drays sought to obtain a good view
of what was expected to occur. They
were all disappointed, however, for it was
decided previously that he would not be taken
from the train at that place. Inspectors
Montfort and Secretan, in plain clothes,
Detective Wilson and one or two policemen
without uniform, had proceeded
to the North Melbourne station, and
waited there in an unostentatious manner.
About fifty other persons had gathered
there, and at two o'clock the ordi-
nary train from the North-east arrived
at the siding. There were two brake
vans attached to it. The outlaw was in the
last one, lying on a pile of mattresses, and
surrounded by about a dozen armed
policemen. He looked terribly emaciated.
His spare countenance was rendered more
wan by the terrible bruises with which it
was covered—the effects of the bullets
having struck the helmet which he wore when
he had the fight with the police. His
utter helplessness was apparent at a glance,
and as he laid on the floor of
the van there was something horribly pitiful
in his appearance. The crowd quickly sur-
rounded the van, but the police soon
cleared a passage. A stretcher was handed
in and the outlaw was laid upon it. Mat-
tresses were then placed on a four-wheeled
vehicle which stood outside the reserve, and
he was carried on the shoulders of the
policemen thither. Very little time was
lost in placing him comfortably in
the trap, but there was ample oppor-
tunity afforded for the people to see his
face and thus gratify a morbid desire. Such
expressions as "Poor fellow;" "I am so
sorry," and other pitying exclamations
were given vent to by the lower por-
tion of the assemblage, but all further
remark was cut short by instructions being
given to drive on. The vehicle, which was
followed by several others, proceeded up to
Victoria-street, and thence to the Melbourne
Gaol. All the way the sudden appear-
ance of the escort caused people to
rush from the shops with a view, if pos-
sible, of seeing Kelly, but they were not
afforded that opportunity. Near the gaol was
an immense concourse of men, women and chil-
dren, and although an attempt was made to
give a cheer, it was remarkably feeble. The
conveyance did not stop, but drove right into
the gaol, the large gates being opened for
the purpose, and immediately closed. There was
a strong guard of police present to prevent any
rushing. Within the institution he was re-
ceived by Mr. Castieau, the Governor, under a
warrant of remand from Benalla until the 5th
July. Some warders and other prisoners re-
moved him from the cab to the hospital, where
he was at once placed on a water bed
which had been prepared for his reception.
Dr. Shields, the medical officer, was imme-
diately communicated with, and on his arrival
he took charge of the prisoner's case. The
Rev. P. J. Aylward was also permitted to see
Kelly, and that reverend gentleman kindly un-
dertook to acquaint Mrs. Kelly, the mother of
the bushranger, of the fate of himself and his
brother. She was also a prisoner in the gaol,
serving a sentence for having resisted and
assaulted Constable Fitzpatrick in April, 1878,
when he endeavored to arrest Daniel Kelly
for horse-stealing. That episode, it will be re-
membered, was the first of a series of outrages
which was perpetrated by some of the mem-
bers of the gang which was soon afterwards
formed. When the mother of the prisoner was in-
formed of the fate which had befallen her sons
she expressed herself as not being surprised,
and explained her preparedness by stating that
on Saturday night she had dreamed that the
gang was being encountered and that the
police were victorious.
Drs. Ryan and Shields examined him in the
gaol at five o'clock. It was remarked that
he was in a healthy condition, and that he was
exceptionally clean. The most serious wound
from which he is suffering is one in the left
arm. When he was struck there, he says the
limb was bent, and the bullet entered midway
between the wrist and the elbow, passed
through the arm and pierced it again about
three inches above the joint. There are not
any bullets in his body now, but there are
marks of four slug wounds in his right thigh
and leg. Dr. Shields extracted the slugs from
a wound in his right hand, near the thumb.
This was the injury which prevented his using
his rifle. He was shot in the left foot near the
large toe and the bullet passed out again near
the instep. With such very serious injuries it
is surprising how he managed to escape being
killed. The doctors, however, do not consider
that he is mortally wounded, and are of opinion
that, unless the severe mental depression which
has supervened has a deterring influence, he
should soon recover. Up till a late hour last
night he was progressing favorably.
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