Royal Commission report day 1 page 20

Story of the KellyGang - the Royal Commission evidence

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The Royal Commission evidence for 23/3/1881

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(see also introduction to day 1 ) Captain Standish giving evidence

223 And that he was unable to go out of camp-to go out with search parties?- I was not aware of that.

224 Are you not aware that I had no officer at my disposal there excepting Mr. Sadleir?- There was only you and Mr. Sadleir there, the officer in charge of Mansfield.

225 If Mr. Sadleir was recovering from fever, and was only convalescent, was he fit to go out on duty?- Two months after he was in capital health.

226 That was two months after. Are you not aware that I had to go out on search parties myself?- I know I went out a great deal.

227 Had I any leaders to take charge of parties of men in that district to go out on search when I went up on the 28th October 1878?- You had several sub officers in the district-Sergeant Steele, and that kind of men.

228 By the Commission- Was not there Mr. Brook Smith at Beechworth; was there not Mr. Pewtress at Mansfield?- Yes.

229 And the superintendent of the district, Mr. Sadleir, at Beechworth?- Yes.

230 By Mr. Nicolson- I spoke of the men to go out as leaders. What is the quality of a leader to go out; is he not only a man in a proper state of health, fit to take charge of men, but a person particularly with a knowledge of the district?- Yes.

230a Who, when I went up there, were fit in that way?- There were lot of men who knew the country.

231 Were they senior-constables or non-commissioned officers who also knew the country?- I do not know what you are driving at.

232 Who were fit when I went up there?- Sergeant Steele.

233 Who else?- There were other good men.

234 There was Senior-Constable James?- Yes, he was a good man.

235 By the Commission- Was Strachan fit?- He was a blathering fellow.

236 Was Senior-Constable Kelly?- He was a good man in some ways.

237 Was Whelan, of Benalla?- He was foot, not mounted. He was a most excellent sub-officer.

238 Was there a man in Beechworth fit to take charge?- Mr. Brook Smith was in charge.

239 By Mr. Nicolson- Was there not an entire absence of men fit to be leaders?- We sent up a lot of men immediately after the outrage. There were a number of very excellent men sent up immediately after the murder of Scanlan.

240 You say I was out a great deal on search parties?- Yes.

241 Did not that necessitate Mr. Sadleir staying at home?- I suppose so.

242 Was not the result of that that I was compelled to go out instead of remaining at head quarters, managing business. Did it not cause me to leave the office, so that I went out and left another officer to carry on the business and correspondence?- The correspondence of the office was carried on by the officer in charge.

243 With whom had you correspondence?- I had correspondence with you.

244 Was it not mostly Mr. Sadleir?- I do not think so.

245 If' the circumstances of the case compelled me to go out into the bush, and go into the Kelly country, and so on, whose duty was it then to carry on the correspondence?- The officer in charge.

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