Royal Commission report day 51 page 5
The Royal Commission evidence for 8/9/1881
(see also introduction to day 51)
[[../../people/peN_P/nicolsonPAC.html|Ass Com Charles Hope Nicolson]] giving evidence
17177 Up to that point was there anything in that report that you as an inspector could object to?— Not if it were absolutely necessary. To all rules there are exceptions, and when it is necessary of course I would never think of it.
17178 Would you consider, if it ended there, that that explanation would be satisfactory?— If the Chief Commissioner did not object, I would think nothing more of it; but this says “I am not aware how Mr. Nicolson became aware that Constable Redding is wanting in discretion and requires looking after.” That is what I object to, considering the nature of my report. Then Mr. Hare goes on— “He has been a long time under me, and I have not discovered it; on the contrary, I have found him a most zealous man and most anxious to do his work, and a man in whom I can place the greatest reliance.” I object to his saying that, because I am not bound to make my source of information known to anyone, and I never received a question of that sort, nor is it the habit of superintendents to make say question as to the source of information of the inspecting superintendent.
17179 The words you object to are where he says “I am not aware”?— Not only that, but other comments I make with regard to this man.
17180 Mr. Hare says there he is not aware how you became possessed of the information?— Yes.
17181 Is not that a matter of opinion about the efficiency of this man, as between you, as inspector, and the superintendent, who had a personal knowledge of him for many years?— No, I had a personal knowledge also.
17182 You had only seen him there for a short time, and he had been under Mr. Hare for some time?— For a short time too.
17183 You were only there for a few hours?— Yes, but I knew the man before. I was acquainted with this man; but whether I was or not, I, being the inspecting officer of the force for many years, no officer in the service, without reference to me, would make such a remark as that, in that tone, in reference to any superior officer inspecting the district, making little of what I had written in that way.
17184 Was the inference from that remark that malice was implied?— Yes, an opposition to me which I felt in other quarters.
17185 By Mr. Hare . –Do you not think I would be neglecting my duty if I had not given my opinion to Captain Standish of a man that I had for some years?— I think it was quite right to do so.
17186 And that I said I did not know how you became aware of it?— It was not necessary for you to say so.
17187 And that he had been under me for some years and I had not discovered it-here was a man I thought an excellent one reported against by you, and I merely reported to Captain Standish?— As far as I can conceive, you had a notion that I knew nothing about the man, and represented me to that effect, and you showed such a spirit to your superior officer.
17188 I just gave my opinion of the man?— I did not object to that.
17189 Surely in the case of men serving under an officer, if the officer does not give his opinion when they are found fault with, to whom are they to look for support?— That is a plausible way of putting it.
17190 Here I have 150 men under me; a man is reported against, and the Chief Commissioner calls for my report, and I give my opinion of the man; was I wrong in that?— No, I do not say so. You were wrong in commenting on me.
17191 By the Commission (to Mr. Hare ). —Had you a better opportunity of knowing him than Mr. Nicolson?— Most undoubtedly. Have I not the correspondence daily and weekly of this man, and the record of the duty he performed every day? I must have known whether the man was a good man or bad man
17192 To Mr. Nicolson . —You asked Mr. Hare a question when he was under cross-examination —the Commission want to know what you meant by it. He returned from the North-Eastern district invalided, as I understand?— Yes.
17193 You asked him was he at a hunt the next day?— I did.
17194 Were you aware whether that was the case?— Yes, there was a coursing meeting going on for four days, or for several days, and during that time the weather was exceedingly bad, pouring with rain, and Mr. Hare was at the coursing meeting. That was the reason I say I did not wish to speak about anything of the kind, but I had no opportunity at that time of seeing Mr. Hare except in the evening.
17195 Was it customary with Mr. Hare to attend coursing meetings?— Up in the North-Eastern district?
17196 At other times?— At other times. It was, very frequently.....
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