Royal Commission report day 1 page 12
The Royal Commission evidence for 23/3/1881
(see also introduction to day 1 ) Captain Standish giving evidence
78 Is that all?- That concludes my evidence. Of course, I am ready to answer any questions that may be put to me.
79 By the Chairman. -I intend to ask you a few questions upon your report of the 15th March 1880; and after that I will ask Inspector Nicolson and Mr. O'Connor whether they have anything to say, or any questions to ask you. In your report of the 5th of July, you say- "It is asserted and implied that the long continued efforts of the police force to trace and capture the outlaws have been characterised by spineless and apathy; that the police have been, in many cases, influenced by a desire to avoid rather than meet the offenders, while in connection with the recent outbreak, which led to the destruction of the gang, it is asserted that I have been guilty of most culpable procrastination; that the police officers have shown a want of generalship, and the conduct of the members of the force has been, according to some, characterised by an inconceivable disregard of human life, and, according to others, by an absence of that courage and dash which every good constable should possess. I have long felt the injustice of these reflections, and I think the time has now arrived when I can properly ask to have it ascertained whether they are deserved or not." Now I think that, in the evidence that you have now given before the Commission, you have asserted that there was both supineness and apathy on the part of Mr. Nicolson?- Certainly.
80 You must have been aware of that at the time you wrote this-this is the 5th of July 1880, after the Kellys were caught?- Yes.
81 What was the period at which you lost confidence in Mr. Nicolson?- During his last stay in Benalla. He remained there eleven months; and, as I have stated in the evidence, he kept saying he had his hand upon those outlaws.
82 That was before 1880?- Yes, that was the early part of last year.
83 During his last stay at Benalla you lost confidence in him?- He was doing nothing.
84 We want to know the time you began to lose confidence in him?- I cannot say the particular date; but if a man stays eleven months without ever doing anything, and always saying he is going to catch them immediately-has his eye upon them-I cannot believe him.
85 That was before June 1879, where you spoke of his being most insolent to you, and but for your good temper you would have thought of suspending him?- That was in June 1880
86 We have it in your evidence here that, on the 11th December. Mr. Nicolson went down and returned on the 12th and you are given to understand that Mr. Nicolson, went down and returned on the 12th; and you are given to understand that Mr Nicolson did not warn the bankers that an effort was to be made to stick up a bank?- That is so.
87 You say he did not warn the railway telegraph people, and so a splendid chance was lost to capture the Kellys?- Yes.
88 Had you confidence in him then. Can you fix about the time. Were these the things that were leading up to the want of confidence in him?- Well it rather shook my faith in him. I may say this letter of 5th July was written after that. I wanted an investigation into the matter, but that the Honourable Mr. Service, who was then Prime Minister, in the election at Maldon made a speech strongly reflecting on me, and the remarks were most unfair and uncalled for.
89 Have you got that speech?- I do not know for what purpose he turned round, and, pointing to his colleague (Mr. Ramsay), said the fact is it was Mr. Ramsay that caught the Kellys. I think it was a most unjustifiable proceeding on the part of Mr. Service, and most uncalled for.
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