Royal Commission report day 52 page 1 (2)
The Royal Commission evidence for 4/8/1881
(see also introduction to day 53)
Present:
The Hon. F. LONGMORE, M.L.A., in the Chair;
G. R. Fincham, Esq., M.L.A., W. Anderson, Esq., M.L.A.,
G. W. Hall, Esq., M.L.A., E. J. Dixon, Esq., J.P.,
J. Gibb, Esq., M.L.A., G. C. Levey, Esq., C.M.G.
The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Nicolson, as follows;— “Kew, September l3th 1881, Gentlemen,—In reply to the Secretary's letter of the 10th instant, I will state that I went to Beechworth on a visit, and while there naturally made some enquiries about the character of Sherritt, who was doing all he could to injure my husband. But, beyond a few enquiries, I did nothing else. I never got up a petition, or asked any person to sign one. I never saw Mr. Dodd, or authorized any person to see him, either on behalf of Mr. Nicolson or myself. I have the honor to be, gentlemen, yours very truly-(signed)-L. NICOLSON. To the Chairman of the Royal Commission on Police.”
The Chairman also read the following affidavit from Mr. Dodd, J.P.:— “I, Matthew Dodd, of Beechworth, in the colony of Victoria, tanner and currier, do solemnly and sincerely declare that, referring to extract from John Sherritt’s letter, dated 3rd September 1881, John Sherritt called on me on the day mentioned and asked me to sign a petition in favor of his son. I told him that I heard there was a counter petition being got up against his son, and I stated I would not sign either. I may also state that no person called on me to sign the other. And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the provisions of an Act of the Parliament of Victoria rendering persons making a false declaration punishable for wilful and corrupt perjury-(signed)-MATTHEW DODD. Declared at Beechworth, in the colony of Victoria, this fourteenth day of September, One thousand eight hundred and eighty-one, before me—(signed)—George Gammon, J.P.”
The Chairman also read the following affidavit from the elder Sherritt:— “I, John Sherritt, farmer, of Sheep Station Creek, Beechworth, in the colony of Victoria, do solemnly and sincerely declare that, on Thursday the 11th day of August 1881, I called on Mr. Matthew Dodd, J.P., and requested him to sign a character in favor of my son. He told me that he had been asked by a man to sign a counter petition. In answer to questions from me, he said the man that asked him lived outside the town, and that he was not a Government servant. I also asked H. A. Crawford to sign a character for my son, and he told me that he did not like to interfere in it. During the day I saw him again, and he drew my attention to Mr. Nicolson's son, who was then passing, and said him and his mother had come up from Melbourne, and Mrs. Nicolson asked me to sign a paper against your son. He said he found no fault with the Sherritt family, and he would not sign for her. And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the provisions of an Act of the Parliament of Victoria rendering persons making a false declaration punishable for wilful and corrupt perjury. –JOHN SHERRITT. Declared at Beechworth, in the colony of Victoria, this fourteenth day of September, One thousand eight hundred and eighty-one, before me-Jno. Turner, J.P.” ....
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