Royal Commission report day 15 page 24
The Royal Commission evidence for 4/5/1881
(see also introduction to day 15)
Constable Duross giving evidence
4123 Did that continue all the time?— No; there was a reduction previous to my going to Beechworth. We were transferred there temporarily; then we could not claim it after that.
4124 Before you went up there had you any experience of bush life?— No; I was never stationed out of Melbourne .
4125 Can you ride a horse?— Yes.
4126 Have you been trained in the regular way?— I have been accustomed to horses.
4127 All that you were taught in the artillery barracks was simply big gun drill and infantry drill?— Yes.
4128 Is the infantry drill not very advantageous to you as a policeman?— Yes, it is.
4129 It is a very legitimate basis of education to make a constable?— Yes, it is, in one way; a lot of men marching together would look awkward not marching properly.
4130 And ready to obey orders properly?— Yes.
4131 You were not taught sword exercise?— No.
4132 Have you heard any conversation amongst your comrades about giving evidence before this Commission?— Yes.
4133 Is there any reluctance on the part of the men to give evidence?— I could not state that. I heard a couple of men say they would like to give evidence—in the police.
4134 How do you mean “like”?— Anxious to be examined.
4135 Why?— Before the Board.
4136 Why—that they could give information about the Kelly business?— Not about that in particular.
4137 About what?— Other subjects.
4138 Is there any disinclination amongst the men to give evidence?— Not to my knowledge.
4139 Is there any fear of the officers amongst the men?— Not to my knowledge.
4140 If there was a disinclination, would not you be likely to hear it?— I might not.
4141 There is no such feeling to your knowledge?— No.
4142 Have you heard any at Beechworth express a desire to give evidence?— Constable Dowling and myself applied we saw Mr. Hare's evidence; and I now ask to be present when Detective Ward is finishing his evidence.
4143 As to the drill, were you not drilled in the use of firearms in the North-Eastern district?— No, only by myself, or with one of my mates. We must have a little practice. Gascoigne and I went out together.
4144 You had no regular practice—no one giving you regular instructions in the use of firearms?— No
4145 Is not Gascoigne a first-rate shot?— Yes.
4146 Were you allowed to use ammunition to practise with?— We got orders on one occasion not to use so much, and we used very little of it.
4147 By Mr. Nicolson. —When was that?— When I was at Violet Town . There was an order came not to expend so much of it, and then the order came that Colt's ammunition was very scarce.
4148 Did you not get an order previous to that to begin to practice?— Yes, to have a little practice.
4149 By the Commission. —Was there a sergeant at Violet Town ?— I was there by myself a considerable time.
4150 Did you get a circular that you were to make yourselves proficient by the use of Government ammunition?— I think that was the order that we could use a little.
4151 You were limited in the use of it?— Yes.
4152 By Mr. Nicolson. —Did you not get an order to discharge your Colt's revolver every week?— There may be an order in the first part of it like that, but in the latter end we got an order that we were to be very careful in expending Colt's ammunition.
4153 By the Commission. —Are you now supplied with a Colt s revolver or a Webley?— No; I have neither.
4154 What arms had you at Violet Town ?— The Colt's revolver and the Spencer rifle.
4155 Has the Colt's revolver a cartridge or a cap?— A cap......
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