The Argus at KellyGang 16/4/1881

(full text transcription)

THE KELLY REWARD BOARD

The report of the above board was forwarded to the Governor in Council on the 13th inst. It states that 90 claims to participate in the reward were received, and that the acting chief commissioner of police reported each claim, either personally or through the officer be considered best qualified. The board found that no information could be said to have been supplied within the terms of the proclamation leading directly to the capture with the exception of that furnished by Aaron Sherittt, and it was on account of Detective Ward's connexion with the employment of this man that the board included him in the number entitled to participate in the reward. The board regret that adherence to the terms of the proclamation compelled them to exclude from any share of the reward some meritorious claimants in the service of the Government whose names are given in schedule C, and whom they desire to recommend to the respective heads of their departments as worthy of special recognition for the zeal displayed by them at all times in their several positions during the long period of the search for the outlaws. One moiety of the reward has been distributed as nearly as circumstances would admit in accordance with the regulations in force in the Imperial service.

A further distribution has been made to the parties under Superintendents Hare and Sadleir and Sergeant Steele, who took part in special work accompanied by much risk. Some rewards have also been recommended for the individual service of certain claimants in schedule D, but beyond this the board have not thought it within their province to distinguish further between members of the force all of whom appear to have done their duty. The board not considering it desirable to place any considerable sum of money in the hands of persons unable to use it, recommend that the sums set opposite the names of the black trackers be handed to the Queensland and Victorian Governments to be dealt with at their discretion.

The only witnesses examined by the board were the reporters for the three Melbourne morning journals, Mr Ramsay (Chief Secretary at the time of the capture), and Mr CC Rawlins, a volunteer who accompanied Superintendent Hare from Benalla. These were not claimants, with the exception of Mr Rawlins. The gentlemen of the press concerned (Mr JD Melvin, Mr M'Whirter, Mr Allen, and Mr T Carrington), the board consider worthy of the best thanks of the community, for the able assistance they afforded the police under circumstances of considerable danger. Had these gentlemen preferred claims the board would have considered them entitled to participate. In conclusion the board draws the attention of His Excellency the Governor to the minute of Mr Ramsay, when Chief Secretary, dated July 10,1880, recommending that some suitable acknowledgment should be bestowed upon Superintendent Hare, the leader in the capture of the outlaws, for the severe injuries sustained by him in the discharge of his duties. The minute says:-

“Had the Minister remained in office Mr Hare would have been promoted to the first vacancy in the force, and a substantial sum would have been placed on the estimates as some acknowledgment of his most valuable services."

The schedules referred to in the report are subjoined, with the exception of schedule A, which contains the names of 24 claimants whom the board consider not entitled to participate in the reward. Of the number 13 are constables and two police agents.

SCHEDULE B

Name

Sup Hare
Thomas Curnow
SConst Kelly
Sgt Steele
Const Bracken
Sup Sadleir
Jesse Dowsett
Sgt Whelan
Const Canny
Const Gascoigne
Const Phillips
Const Barry
Const Arthur
C C Rawlins
Const Kirkham
SConst Smyth
Const P Kelly
Const Dixon
Const Dwyer
Const Wilson
Const Milne
Const Stillard
Const Ryan
Const Reilly
Const Graham
Const Hewitt
Const Wallace
Const Walsh
Const Montifort
Const Cawsey
Const Healey
Const Moore