Royal Commission report day 2 page 20
The Royal Commission evidence for 24/3/1881
(see also introduction to day 2 )
Assistant Commissioner Nicholson giving evidence
610 They were strained?- They were strained, and any expression of opinion by me was treated with, I would not say almost contempt, but something very near it; I was not in his confidence at all.
611 At what period did that strained relation begin between you?- At intervals for some years past.
612 Under what circumstances-did that arise more particularly out of your official positions?- Yes.
613 And the discharge of your public duties?- I had never any disagreement about the discharge of my duties, but frequently in other matters, and, now I think of it, perhaps in the discharge of my duties there may have been.
614 Would it be for the public interest to know the particulars?- I would not like to give a positive answer that some of our differences may not have been about public matters.
615 At any time were your public functions as the officer second in command. Captain Standish?- Not up to the time of the kelly business.
616 On any other occasion?- Subsequently; not up to that period. Our relations were strained previous to the Kelly outrage.
617 But up to this period, officially, do you wish the Board to understand that you and Captain Standish worked in harmony in your respective positions?- Yes, we did, especially during the Kelly outrage; and, as far as I am concerned, I maintain that on every occasion I worked in harmony with him up to that period. I had no serious difference with him until afterwards.
618 Then, at the period when you were taken ill, and it was necessary for you to leave for a time, do not you think, in the interest of the public service, it was absolutely your duty to communicate with the gentleman who took your position and your superior officer as to the best course to be adopted?- No encouragement was ever given me to offer suggestions.
619 No, but did not you think that to the Government, of which you were a very important officer, it was essential for your own personal safety and the public security to advise as to the best course to take from the much larger experience you must have acquired through being in that position?- Yes; I we are quite ready to do so, but any advice I offered on the strength of my experience was pooh poohed, previous to that and on that occasion.
620 On this occasion you left no record, neither did you verbally express to the gentlemen with whom you were associated as officers the importance of following out any course you thought best adapted for the object you had in view, neither in writing nor verbally?- No. The day I left was upon the occasion, the 12th. I was, as I tell you, when I came in from that party, completely prostrated; even when I was going about the street I had to be led about, and take the arm of someone.
621 Your answer is that you were too incapacitated at that time to advise?- Yes.
622 And Captain Standish did not ask you?- No.
623 Subsequently you say you performed all the functions pertaining to the Chief Commissionership of the colony?- Yes.
624 You were in constant communication with the Government on matters official?- Yes.
625 After you had time to recover your health, did you not think it of sufficient importance then from the position you had occupied and the important position you then occupied, to consult with the Government, and to advise as to the best course?- I did not. Captain Standish at the time was in direct communication with the Government himself, and I was not. I did not know what course he was pursuing at all, and he never invited me to give any opinion. I gave an opinion once or twice-a suggestion-but on all those occasions he treated me with coldness and repelled me. ..
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