Royal Commission report day 9 page 3
The Royal Commission evidence for 6/4/1881
(see also introduction to day 9)
Francis Augustus Hare giving evidence
1600 Did he say upon what grounds?— He did not. Subsequently I was taken ill again, and Mr. Nicolson came up to the depot and told those men that they were discharged from the service forthwith. About three or four days after their discharge the Inspector-General of Police in New South Wales called upon me, and stated that Mr. Nicolson had requested him to take those two young men into his force. He said he declined to do so, as he did not care about having our leavings. Subsequently Willie Sherritt went to Queensland , and I am informed took letters of recommendation from Mr. Nicolson to the authorities there, but they would not take him into the force there either. That is all on that subject.
1601 There was no cause given for their discharge?— No; I believe the Government gave them a gratuity, because they had purchased their uniform. I think about £50; I do not know exactly the amount, but about that sum. I will now just give a short record of the special services I have rendered the country since I joined the service. Mr. Nicolson was called upon to produce a return to that effect, and I think I may be allowed to do the same.
Mr. Nicolson. —That has not been done in my case; at the same time, I do not object to what Mr. Hare is about to do.
The Witness. —Here is a letter I received addressed to the Acting Commissioner of Police, dated 13th July 1855, the year after I joined the force:—
G.B. 55/8861—1423.
Sir, Colonial Secretary's Office, Melbourne , 13th July 1855 .
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, transmitting one addressed to you by the inspector of police for the Ovens district, enclosing a communication from Dr. Mackay relative to the conduct of Lieutenant Hare, on the occasion of Dr. Mackay's house having been attempted to be broken into on the night of the 23rd ultimo. The letters referred to having been submitted to the Governor, I am commanded by His Excellency to convey to you his direction that Lieutenant Hare be promoted on the first vacancy occurring.
You will also inform him that His Excellency has great pleasure in testifying the high sense he entertains of the gallant conduct evinced by him on the occasion alluded to; and I am to add that it will ever be His Excellency's desire to mark his appreciation of the services of such officers in the force as may render themselves conspicuous by their gallantry.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient servant
J. MOORE
Acting Chief Secretary.
The Acting Chief Commissioner of Police, Melbourne.
There was the following:—
General Order
Police Department, Chief Commissioner's Office
No. 46 Melbourne , 23rd July 1855 .
His Excellency has been pleased to direct that, in consequence of the gallant conduct of Lieutenant Hare, of the Beechworth district, in having, unarmed and without assistance during the middle of the night on the 23rd ultimo, captured, after a deadly struggle, an armed burglar who was breaking into the house of Dr. Mackay, near Wangaratta, that officer shall be promoted on the first vacancy occurring.
(Signed) C. MAC MAHON ,
Acting Chief Commissioner.
Also the following letter:—
No. 1339/56 Police Department, Chief Commissioner's Office,
Sir, Melbourne , 14th August 1855 .
I have the honor to inform you that, in consequence of your meritorious conduct, His Excellency has been pleased to approve of your promotion to the rank of sub inspector, and your name has accordingly been placed at the bottom of the list of officers of that rank.
I regret, however, that the promotion will not at present carry with it any increase of pay, as on account of the number of officers of that grade being greater than that for which provision is made, several of the officers at the bottom of the list having unavoidably been obliged to draw the same rate of pay as the officers of the next lower rank.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
C. MAC MAHON ,
Acting Chief Commissioner of Police, Melbourne.
I also now read you a letter that I received from Captain Standish many years ago, before I was acquainted with him on the intimate terms I am now, and have been for some years; I had not met him twice in my life then, but had been under him for some months:—
Police Department, Chief Commissioner's Office,
Melbourne , 27th April 1860 .
MY DEAR SIR,
As Williamstown is vacant by the death of poor Taylor , I should like to know if you would like to be stationed there. The duties consist in having charge of the water police, Sandridge and Williamstown, and two county Bourke stations on the line of the Geelong railway. The long and arduous service which you have performed with such credit to yourself and advantage to the service induce me to give you the refusal of this station, where the duties, though not unimportant, are, I may say, of more pleasant a nature than the roughing you have had on the gold-fields. The officer's quarters at Williamstown are very comfortable, and the sea-air (that apparently universal panacea for the ailments of up-country constables) will, no doubt, be a pleasant change to you and Mrs. Hare.
I certainly have my misgivings about seeing you removed from a locality sacred to new rushes, especially after the highly creditable rapidity with which you formed the police camp at Babylon , Mr. Lidiard having informed me that to your assistance and energy in the matter he was indebted for this. I cannot, however, allow you to suffer for your zeal, and if the change I propose is agreeable, pray let me know with as little delay as possible.
With kind regards to Mrs. Hare,
I am, Yours very truly,
(Signed) FREDRICK. STANDISH.
Francis Hare, Esq., Inspector of Police, Bark Creek......
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