Royal Commission report day 22 page 16
The Royal Commission evidence for 18/5/1881
(see also introduction to day 22)
SConst Kelly giving evidence
8363 Would it not be a much more dangerous place as being a challenge them than if the barracks were in an ordinary place?— Yes, I believe so.
8364 At the Greta hotel would it not be possible for men to come in at the back door and front door up to any hour of the day or night when the public had a right to access to the licensed house?— Yes, at any time.
8365 From your knowledge of the district do you think there is any place in the district where there are more ill-disposed people likely to assassinate you than in that district?— I believe it is the worst place in the colony.
8366 I want to ascertain exactly the discipline of the police force and the feeling amongst the men — was there, to your knowledge, amongst the men a feeling that any officers (I do not particularize officers) would have a down upon and would not advance the prospects in the force of men who had been in Mr. Hare's party at Glenrowan?— I believe there was an ill feeling against Mr. Hare's party with some of the men.
8367 Which of the men did you say?— Against Mr. Hare's party of men — for his selecting all his own men.
8368 Feeling on whose part?— Some of the other constables. They were Bourke men.
8369 You say they were Bourke men principally in Mr. Hare's party?— Yes.
8370 Did the same feeling exist amongst the officers; was it stated to exist amongst the officers?— I do not know.
8371 You have no opinion upon that matter?— I have no opinion upon that matter.
8372 Then if it is stated that there was ill feeling and that the men’s promotion would not be ensured that belonged to this particular party at Glenrowan, and that they would not be recommended for promotion, would that be true or false?— I cannot say.
8373 Would it be true or false, in your opinion. The question I ask you is this: what did you, in your own mind, consider that order to Greta was for. Did you think it was to ensure your promotion or as a punishment?— Mr. Sadleir told me that he was going to get me advanced, and that by not going there I should lose all.
8374 You got that notice?— He told me that repeatedly.
8375 At what time?— I think it was in the stable one morning.
8376 When?— Before I put that application in.
8377 Are you advanced or put back in the service?— I am neither. I am in the same position.
8378 You are a constable in charge of a district in the west?— At Terang.
8379 Then you have not received any promotion for your service?— I have not.
8380 In any way?— In any way.
8381 And it would depend upon the officer recommending you there?— Yes, I think it would depend upon the officer.
8382 You are in Mr. Chambers’s district now, are you?— Yes.
8383 In order to ensure your promotion when you change your district, have you to make way, as it is called, make your character known to the new officer?— I suppose he will go by the record sheet.
8384 Have you not, in going to a fresh district, to prove by your conduct that you are worthy?— You have.
8385 And that puts a man back in the service?— No doubt.
8386 Then with regard to changes, if a man is stationed in the country and he applies for a change, is it considered promotion or the reverse if he is sent down to the depot here?— If he applies for a change it would be at his own request he was sent down.
8387 Supposing it is not at his own request he is transferred from the district, is it considered an advantageous station or the reverse to be sent from a country district down to the barracks?— They consider it a punishment, so I found.
8388 Is that so looked upon in the service?— Yes.
8389 It is not at all events a sign of promotion?— No.....
Previous page / Next page
| ! | The text has been retyped from a microfiche copy of the original. We have taken care to reproduce this document but areas of the original text may been damaged. |
The previous day / next day . . . Royal Commission index
