Royal Commission report day 48 page 7

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The Royal Commission evidence for 1/9/1881

(full text transcription)

(see also introduction to day 48)

'Sup Francis Augustus Hare giving evidence'

16365 Was Mr. Nicolson guilty of what would certainly amount to a great evil on his part if he withheld any information from you?— I say he withheld all information, and I complain of that, together with the fact of his sending that telegram after seeing me.

16366 As a matter of fact, do you consider the successful carrying out of your duties was interfered with in the slightest degree by any information that was withheld?— I think Mr. Nicolson could have given a great number of important facts about agents, principally about that man Jack Sherritt. I think it was his duty to have told me that man was in communication with him, but I never heard it till he gave his evidence before this Board.

16367 Was not that within the knowledge of Mr. Sadleir?— I do not know. I suppose it was, but I never knew it.

16368 It may not have occurred to him at the time?— No.

16369 The question is: within your knowledge, did any circumstance transpire which led you to form the conclusion that, had Mr. Nicolson given you the information he possessed, you would have more successfully carried on matters?— Yes; the circumstances of Jack Sherritt. I am told by him that he was in constant communication with the outlaws. Up to the time he wrote that letter to me I did not know anything about him, or that he had been employed.

16370 Did not the documents disclose it?— I never saw it. As I say, I never heard it till it came out before the Commission.

16371 Did you discover soon that Mr. Nicolson had not given you information?— No, I did not discover soon. The first thing I discovered was about that telegram; that was the first thing that led me to believe I would have to work very hard in reading over papers. Had I known that I would have gone straight

16372 Did you discuss the matter with Mr. Sadleir then?— No, I did not; I never mentioned it to him, because I knew that Mr. Sadleir was very great friends with Mr. Nicolson. He was very adverse to my coming up there, and I wanted to keep on as good terms as possible with Mr. Sadleir, and not raise any points of discussion with him.

16373 Did Mr. Sadleir exhibit any coolness to you then?— No, not at all. I know he did not approve of it, by his own letters to me. He begged and implored of me not to come up; said I was a great fool, and it was a great mistake my ever coming up.

16374 Did he assign any reason?— For the good of the service solely. He said it was a wrong move for the Government or Captain Standish to make.

16375 You having accepted the position?— I was ordered to go. I did not accept it; I was compelled to go.

16376 You obeyed the order to go?— Yes.

16377 Did you observe any coolness in Mr. Sadleir's demeanour towards you?— No.

16378 Any disinclination to the proper discharge of duty?— I did not; and on one occasion I said “Sadleir, I cannot help thanking you for the kindness you have shown throughout this matter, in giving all the information you can. I did not expect it from the way you wrote about my coming here.”

16379 It did not interfere with your work?— No.

16380 You worked very harmoniously?— Yes.

16381 There is nothing that has transpired since that leads you to consider that Mr. Nicolson possessed information that Mr. Sadleir did not?— No; except his private entries in his private books.

16382 When you discovered this wrong towards you by Mr. Nicolson, did you report it?— I did not at the time, because I did not want to raise ill blood between myself and anybody connected with Mr. Nicolson.

16383 Would not you consider that would raise ill blood at a later period?— I did not care then; it was all over. I had but one object in view.

16384 Will you read that rule 44, in Police Manual?—[The witness did so as follows:—] “Any member of the force feeling himself injured or aggrieved must bring the circumstances of the case under the notice of his superior officer at once; for if he broods over his grievances, real or imaginary, and delays making his statement, his motives will be judged of by such delay, and his statement questioned in proportion to it.

16385 Do you not think it would have been better, in the interests of the force, to have reported at once?— No, quite the reverse; I thought it would raise more enemies round me.....

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