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The Royal Commission evidence for 6/4/1881

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full text

(see also introduction to day 9)

Henry Moors giving evidence

1635 And you would be aware whether the office was in good order or out of order at any given time?— Yes.

1636 Do you remember the time that Mr. Nicolson had charge of the office?— Yes.

1637 While Captain Standish was up in the North-Eastern district?— Yes.

1638 Will you tell the Commission what state Mr. Nicolson left the office in when Captain Standish came back from Benalla and took charge?— I have read Captain Standish's evidence in the papers, and I think that he has inadvertently used words which implied a great deal more than he meant to say. The office was never in a state of confusion that I am aware of; but there was certainly a delay in getting papers off at times, arising from the difference between the two men—the two heads of the department— Captain Standish and Superintendent Nicolson.

1639 Captain Standish says (question 52)— “About the end of June, after having been upwards of six months at Benalla, finding that all the business in my office was being frightfully muddled, and that things were going wrong both in the Melbourne and the country districts, I obtained the authority of the Chief Secretary for my return to Melbourne.” Can you say whether the office was in that state or not?— There was naturally a great pressure on the office during the whole time the Kellys were at large. Under Captain Standish of course the work took a considerable time to perform, it could not be otherwise; but Captain Standish is a man very prompt in action, quick in judgment, and remarkably ready with the pen, and papers were always got away with considerable celerity. Mr. Nicolson is slower and more careful in going through papers. I may put it that under him the machinery moves more slowly than under Captain Standish. Then again he had not the long experience that Captain Standish had, he is not so good an office man; the consequence was that there would be very generally a delay at night in getting the papers off. There would be a longer time taken between the preparation of the documents and their despatch from the office.

1640 Under Mr. Nicolson?— Under Mr. Nicolson. The clerics complained very bitterly at times about the length of time they were kept in the office; and I dare say that when Captain Standish came back I mentioned to him that the clerks did complain; but beyond that pressure and that delay, I could not admit that the office was in a muddle or in a disorganized state. I do not think it has been so under any head of the department since I have been connected with it. I do not think Captain Standish meant to imply that it has.

1641 That is an opinion of your own?— Yes; I can only say that from knowing the state the office was in.

1642 Was the office in such a state at that time that it required an active man like Captain Standish to bring it into a proper state of working?— No, it was not in that state.

1643 Were there many papers unattended to when he came back?— No.

1644 Were there many more than the usual number?— No; some few were held over designedly. I myself suggested that one or two papers should be held over, and they were.

1645 Were they of any consequence in dealing with the Kelly outrages?— Not that I am aware of.

1646 Are you aware that the office was in its usual state, except for the keeping over of a few papers?— There was a delay in the getting off of papers. Captain Standish, from long experience in the office, would see at a glance what a file of papers contained. Mr. Nicolson had not the same familiarity with the work of the office; hence when papers went before him he necessarily took longer; he seemed painfully conscientious at times in looking into matters, and took a great deal more time. Consequently the office was kept open to a later hour at night, and the clerks would have to remain to six at night; but I could not say that was confusion or being in a muddled state. The work was done and done very well.

1647 Then in reality what you say is simply that there was a longer time spent each day over the papers?— Yes.

1648 But that the papers were cleared off each day usually?— Not each day; under no head of a department would that be.

1649 But as much as they usually were?— Yes.

1650 They were not allowed to accumulate?— No, certainly not. Occasionally files, as at the present moment, are held over for days and require a great deal of consideration, and it would be folly to deal with them off-hand. A great many required consideration, but if there was any undue accumulation of that kind I was not aware of it.

1651 Then in your opinion Captain Standish was incorrect in stating that the office was in state of muddle?— Unquestionably......

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