KELLY ITEMS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 955, 6 August 1880, Page 3

KELLY ITEMS.

It is stated in Melbourne tlr i, it has hem discovered that the armour worn by Med Kelly at the time of his capture was made in Melbourne, aud that the puce paid for it avas £10()().

It is now known positively in Melbourne, that in January last Byrne visited Melbourne, and, in company with Mrs Skillion pail young Llyod a visit at the Melbourne Hospital. Tlie matter was reported to the detectives at the time, but they failed to act promptly.

The members of tho Kelly family now in Melbourne have been objects of attraction to a crowd of people whenever they have moved abroad, Kate Kelly, especially, appears to elicit tho admiration of a number of persons. A publican in a Melbourne suburb stuck up a notice outside his house, “Ned Kelly’s celebrated grey mare can bo seen within ” It is needless to say that it was a hoax, hut it served the purpose required—selling drinks. The bushranger Bower, tho once com-panion-in-arms of the notorious Ned Kelly, is still (says the Melbourne Telegraph) an inmate of the Pentridge prison hospital, from an old disease contracted during his bushranging career. Tho man who, at one period, was the terror of tho northern districts, has now become as helpless as a child. Of late years Power has considerably changed in appearance, having a long heard, which has became white. Power

says, in speaking of his old associate, that he always prevented him from shedding blood, as ho would otherwise have done on

one or two occasions. Power admits that Kelly possesses considerable personal courage ; but be was always of the opinion that, in extreme danger, bo would lie wanting in judgment and discretion sufficient to carry him out of dillicultiea. On one occasion, when they were sui rounded by the police, close to Dr Row’s station. Mount Battery, near .Mansfield, and there appeared but little hope of escaping, Roily proposed to surrender, when Power toid him if ha did ho would shoot him on the spot. In attempting to escape, Power’s horso was hit in the flank by a spent ball from the police, but he and Kelly succeeded in escaping to the ranges.

A Melbourne telegram of the Ist instant states that Nod Kelly has been sent to Beechworih.

Mrs Jones the owner of the public house at Glenrowan, has put in a claim to the Government, us compensation for her house, which was burnt down, and the loss of her son, who was shot. The “ Age ” states that from first to last the pursuit and capture of the Kellys has cost Victoria L40,0f10.

A correspondent has written me (--Egles) a long letter denunciatory of police behaviour during the exciting events connected witli the destruction of the Kelly outlaws. llis suggestions in relation to police administration are not without merit, thus—“Go in for reform of the force, abolish al! reward and gratuities to the uJice, let its members know that they are paid to nrevent crime as well as to bring offenders to pun'slnnent, and wben cases like that at Sherrits’s but occur let the

penalty for cowardice be shore, sharp, and decisive. Such men are not wanted. They only demoralise tile rest.” When the game of polities permits, there are points iu connexion with late events which, for the sake of the police themselves, should lie searching’}' investigated and cleared up. It is no harm, perhaps, to let the excitement of the affair coid down.