Royal Commission report day 9 page 12
The Royal Commission evidence for 6/4/1881
(see also introduction to day 9)
Henry Moors giving evidence
1703 Would not your registry book show where a paper had gone to, whether to the Acting Chief Commissioner or any other?— Not after they are filed. You see this is with reference to papers that have been done with and filed in the office. A paper or file of that kind is called for; it is turned up, and put before the Chief Commissioner. I have never thought it necessary, naturally, to keep a record against him of files he takes in that way. If a file of that kind has not been returned the matter would be lost sight of, and it would be the same with Captain Standish when he was in the office and papers were put before him.
1704 Then the Chief Commissioner of Police could take any of those papers, and you would have no record against him?— No; we have never felt the necessity for a record of that kind.
1705 That is done in the Lands Department?— Yes, but I may say that our office is a small and compact office, and there never has been felt a necessity for the record that is spoken of. In a large office like the Lands Department, with a great many subordinate heads of departments, it would be absolutely necessary; but with us if that plan were adopted, or what is called the In Register, it would lead to an increase of the staff.
1706 How many clerks have you?— Nine.
1707 Would not one clerk of papers be sufficient to give out, and take in, and keep a record?— One clerk might do it, but then the time of every clerk is fully occupied.
1708 Then you have not got a register of papers in the office?— No.
1709 Previous to the Kelly business there was not much necessity to turn up files?— Very seldom. Once a year perhaps.
1710 By Mr. Nicolson . —Could you not almost recollect the number of papers I had in this case— by considering?— Some six, or eight, or ten. I could not speak nearer than that. You asked for the papers connected with the Power capture, and those were all returned I have got the impression that all the papers that were asked for have been returned.
1711 By Mr. Hare . —Could not one of your clerks state whether the papers have been received back for filing?— I do not think they could. During the last three weeks the clerks have been so occupied with hunting up records and papers, and arranging matters, and so on, that their recollection would not be reliable in such a matter. They could not possibly do it.
1712 I mean previous to Mr. Nicolson being relieved of the position of Acting Commissioner?— Before the present pressure of course we could. In that case of course the old file of papers was turned up. The rule is when they go into the strongroom and open up an old file they leave it roughly tied up, and it is not put away again till the paper taken out is returned.
1713 Then they could tell whether they had got all the papers up to the time of Mr. Nicolson being relieved?—
1714 By Mr. Nicolson. —If I state to you that I had only two files, that one and one the file of Mr. Winch, my name appearing under Mr. Winch's—do you remember any other files?— No.
1715 What is your impression about the files that I ever received?— My impression is that they were returned. I am not aware that you have taken any papers away.
1716 By Mr. Hare. —Still they might be taken away without your knowledge?— They might be.
The Chairman. —I think that is the fault of the system, not the fault of anybody.
Mr. Hare . —My object in putting these questions is in reference to the files produced by Mr. Nicolson, in the case of Constable Redding, where there were two different subjects at different dates attached together on the same file in an improper way.
The witness withdrew
Adjourned to next day at Eleven o'clock .
[~[[See report of Proceedings 6/4/81]|5838]~] .....
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