Royal Commission report day 30 page 14
The Royal Commission evidence for 15/6/1881
(see also introduction to day 30)
[[../../people/peN_P/oconnorPinsp.html|'Insp Stanhope O'Connor]] ' giving evidence
11835 Would that have been only as it affected the black trackers?— Certainly not.
11836 In the same position as any other?— As a member of the force.
11837 You would be in this position in the North Eastern district, that you would take charge if the superintendent was away?— Yes, but put me in the North-Eastern district, as it is shore as an inspector I would be junior in rank to Mr. Montfort.
11838 And to two others?— No, senior to two others.
11839 Mr. Baber?— Mr. Baber would be junior.
11840 And Mr. Pewtress?— Junior, I would be second in command.
11841 And would have command if he were out of the district?— Yes, I would join as an inspector.
11842 You could have been removed at any time to any other district in the same position?— Yes, or in a higher position.
11843 Was it to be only of a temporary nature or permanent?— Permanent. I may just tell you exactly what passed. I received a telegram asking me to come and see Mr. Chomley. I came in, and he said, “The Chief Secretary wants to offer you the command of the trackers in the North-Eastern district.”
11844 What date was that?— Just the day before the Commission took action in regard to it I called, and Mr. Chomley and I had a long talk about it. I said, “Look here, Chomley, I would not accept that billet.”
11845 Are you sure it was only the day before?— Only the day before or two days before that, and Mr. Chomley said, “The Chief Secretary wishes to give you command of the trackers,” and I said, “I am very much obliged, but I would not take it.” He said “Not take it,” and I said, “No, certainly not, I do not know those men. They have never been drilled. They do not know what a weapon is or what a horse is. They have been taken out of the bush up in Queensland and brought down here as trackers. They may be very good, but I am not going to take the responsibility of taking them under my charge, for in the event of a mistake in tracking I should have to bear the whole onus.” I said, “No, thanks, I would not think of doing it, but if the Chief Secretary wishes I would accept a suitable rank in the force, and do my best to assist them in looking after the trackers–such as picking men that are suitable, because all men are not–to fool; after them–teaching the men how to do so. I will do so, and take the men out and see what good they are for trackers.” Mr. Chomley said, “Will you come up and see the Chief Secretary?” and he went up with me and went in before me, and a few minutes after I was called in, and Mr. Berry said, “Mr. O'Connor, you have heard what Mr. Chomley said?” and I said, “I hope you have heard what I said to Mr. Chomley;” and he said, “Yes, it was never my intention to give you a position solely in charge of the trackers and nothing else; my offer was as an officer in this service, and of course I would expect you would assist in any way you could in looking after the black trackers, but I never for a moment thought that you could sacrifice your duties and condone yourself solely to the black trackers as you did before.” I said upon those conditions of course I would accept the appointment. He then said, “Well, Mr. O'Connor, when do you think you can go up?” “Well,” I said, “I could go up at once but there is this Commission; I must first of all find out from them.” And he made some remark I cannot quite remember–“Oh yes, I forgot the Commission–better let the thing remain until you get permission, from them to go up.” So I asked the Commission then. That is the whole thing that passed, and you gave me permission and then retracted it.
11846 Had you any conversation with any member of the police force prior to your receiving that telegram from Mr. Chomley?— Never–not one.
11847 No conversation as to the probability of your joining the Victorian police force any time within a month of receiving the telegram?— Never since the Glenrowan affair, and it was just as great a surprise to me as probably it was to a great number of others when I was offered it.
11848 Did you have any conversation with any member of the police force after receiving the offer of the appointment, and before the morning that we took objection to your appointment?— I never spoke to any member of the police force outside our men, until I had seen Mr. Berry and met them in this room, and then I spoke to Mr. Sadleir and I spoke to Mr. Nicolson.
11849 Would it be unfair to say whether they approved or not?— Mr. Nicolson did strongly approve of it and Mr. Sadleir also at that time, but they said that it would cause a great cool of dissatisfaction in the force amongst the constables.
11850 Did he tell you that it would be contrary to the regulations, which have the effect of law?— He did not, but I have seen the regulations.
11851 If you will look at that list, you will see the inspectors there—[The witness did so]. Were you to be in addition to those men or to take the place of any of them?— That is more than I can tell you.
11852 You did not hear?— No.
11853 The rank was not decided upon, except that you would not take anything under an inspector?— I did not say so to them.....
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