Royal Commission report day 15 page 23
The Royal Commission evidence for 4/5/1881
(see also introduction to day 15)
Constable Duross giving evidence
4090 How long before you went to the North-Eastern district was it you had any use in firearms?— About five years before.
4091 While you were stationed in Melbourne you had no practice in firearms?— No.
4092 Were any men, to your knowledge, taught. Are you not supposed to be armed. Is this the book you got?— No.
4093 You are furnished with batons?— Yes.
4094 And are you exercised in the use of them?— No.
4095 Did you make yourself acquainted with the “Police Regulations” book?— I am supposed to make myself acquainted with all the books.
4096 Does that one prescribe what your arms shall be. What are the police arms?— We have an Enfield rifle—a muzzle-loader—and that is all a foot-man has.
4097 Were you taught to take up, load, and discharge with that?— No.
4098 Were you taught that at the Victoria barracks while you were in the Artillery Corps?— I was taught a different rifle altogether in the barracks.
4099 Were you served out with a double-barrelled shot-gun in the North-East?— A muzzle-loading Colt's revolver and a Spencer rifle.
4100 Were you taught the use of that rifle?— I had several shots with that.
4101 Were you taught how to use it?— Inspector Montfort showed us, in Russell street , before we left.
4102 Do you think you were competent or incompetent to use firearms when you went up there?— I was not perfect.
4103 Were you drilled up there in the use of firearms by Mr. Nicolson?— No.
4104 Never went out on practice?— I did on different occasions myself
4105 On your own responsibility?— Yes, put up a target.
4106 Mr. Nicolson. —My party was at Benalla.
4107 By the Commission. —Is the feeling amongst the constables, in your opinion, that the men are not efficient in the use of the arms in the service?— The mounted men are different altogether from the foot police in Melbourne . The latter are not perfect in the use of firearms. They have no drill for firearms in Russell street .
4108 No shooting?— No shooting.
4109 Are the mounted men taught?— I heard they are taught revolver practice on horse-back, in the riding school. We have only the Enfield rifle—the City police.
4110 What is the special qualification for the police force that you were supposed to be perfected in at the Victoria barracks?— We were taught big gun drill and infantry drill.
4111 And to march?— That is infantry drill.
4112 Is there anything as to dealing with prisoners, or framing reports, or doing ordinary police duty there?— No.
4113 Were you drafted direct from that into the depot?— Yes.
4114 Except those books, were you taught how to frame reports to your officers, and so on?— When you go out on the section with a senior-constable, he is supposed to instruct you in all that.
4115 At the depot you are not taught anything of that?— No.
4116 You learn that yourself out on duty?— Yes.
4117 Is there a difference in the pay of the police when they first go on duty. Did you get less pay at first?— Yes, for two years I was getting two shillings per day in the artillery.
4118 You were not a policeman then?— No.
4119 When you say you left the Victoria barracks, and then joined the police force, and remained in the depot, what was your pay then?— Six and sixpence per day then.
4120 Has that been increased?— To seven and sixpence.
4121 Under what circumstances?— By Act of Parliament. After two years' service in the police force we get a shilling a day extra.
4122 Had you an increase when you were in the North-Eastern district?— Yes; it was a travelling allowance, two shillings a day for being up there, while you are out on duty at night, and five shillings a day increase
4156 How would you get that unloaded without discharging it.?— That would be a difficult thing.
4157 Could it be done?— I could not do it.
4158 Could any man do it unless he screwed out the bullet?— I think not.
4159 Is there any implement given you to screw out the bullet?— No.
4160 Would it be possible to see that your arms were in order without discharging your Colt's revolver?— No, you would have to.
4161 Then if you saved ammunition you might have to leave your revolver loaded for a time longer than it should be?— Yes.
The witness withdrew
Adjourned to to morrow at Eleven o'clock
[~[[See report of Proceedings 4/5/81]|5997]~].....
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