The Argus at KellyGang 10/6/1881
THE POLICE COMMISSION
THURSDAY, JUNE 9
Present - Messrs Longmore (chairman), Graves , Fincham, Gibb, Anderson , and Hall, MLA's , and Mr Dixon.
Inspector Montfort , recalled, said he had been in the Benalla district since the 4th May, and had inquired as to the requirements for its defence. In the event of another outbreak the police would be able to cope with it to a certain extent, and would be in a still better position if certain recommendations he had made were carried out. Witness mentioned what some of those recommendations were. He could not possibly affirm that things were serious in the district. It was not correct to say that the police were unprepared for another out- break. (Witness was further examined with closed doors with regard to the state of the district.) When the doors were opened Inspector Montfort resumed - Considerable advantage would be derived from the employment of black trackers. (Witness produced a report from Constable Kirkham, in charge of the black trackers, at Benalla, in which instances were given of the usefulness of the trackers.) Had tested the trackers, and found them never to fail. Had tested them to see if they could find tracks made purposely as difficult as possible, and they had never lost the clue, although on one occasion the trail went on a fence for a considerable period. The conduct of the trackers was most exemplary, and they were very attentive to their duties. They enjoyed good health, and were paid 5s. a day, finding themselves, and living in a hut near the barracks. Did not think it would be desirable to separate them. If they were kept together they would be ready to act when an emergency arose. The present trackers worked better than those under Mr O'Connor, as they would obey any officers while Mr O'Connor's men would only obey him.
Mr O'Connor - In Queensland the trackers were bound to obey no one but the officer over them.
Witness - If the trackers were under any officer kind to them, they would obey him as readily as any one. Did not think any change in the present system would render them more effective. They would obey other officers as well as Mr O'Connor if they were kindly treated. There were six trackers in the force at Benalla. Believed the trackers would work as well in a real emergency as they did when he tested them.
Mr O'Connor - These men knew they were only being exercised then. Sometimes when the trackers were following the outlaws they said they could not see the tracks when they were quite plain to the white men in the party.
Witness -That was not my experience.
Mr O'Connor - The blacks knew well when they were after the outlaws.
Witness - Of course the appointment of any outsider to an office in the police force would be unpopular in the force. Had heard nothing against Mr O'Connor personally. Had heard opinions expressed by members of the force adverse to Mr O'Connor's appointment. The police ought to be armed with the Martini-Henry carbine. Did not think it desirable to appoint an officer only to take charge of the black trackers. The effect of Mr O'Connor's appointment would be deleterious to the morale of the force, although be did not say that it ought to have such an effect. Did not think a necessity for Mr O'Connor's appointment had arisen in the district, but he would personally have no objection to it. But the acting chief commissioner had given a contrary opinion. It took witness 18 years to rise out of the ranks, and then he got promotion by a fluke.
To Mr O'Connor - The late chief commissioner of police was appointed in 1858 to that position, although he was not previously in the force. But that position was an exceptional one.
Constable Arthur deposed that he was in the North-eastern district all through the Kelly business. Did not believe in the effectivess of the plan of sending out large search parties after the outlaws. Thought the best plan would have been to send out small parties to watch the sympathisers' houses, and that in future young, active men should be sent out to make themselves acquainted with the district and people. Believed Aaron Sherritt was not faithful to the police. Saw Steele fire at Mrs Reardon.
Told him that if he fired at an innocent woman he (witness) would shoot him. Steele called on her to throw up her hands or he would shoot her like a dog. Steele deliberately aimed at young Reardon when the latter was going back to the hotel. Steele appeared very excited. Reardon was not crawling on his hand and knees, but walking and leading a child. Knew Mrs Reardon was a woman by her voice, and Steele should also have known it. Another man came out of the hotel with a child in his arms, and Steele told him to hold out his hands. While the man was doing so Steele shot at him, and he retreated into the hotel. Was present at the capture of Ned Kelly, who tripped and fell before Steele fired at him. The outlaw was walking feebly. Was certain he fell before Steele fired. Witness never ran from Kelly or turned his back to him. Went round to get at the back of the outlaw. At the time Mr Hare made the first rush for the hotel, witness did not see Mr O'Connor go outside the railway fence. A shot was fired from the hotel after 2pm . The bodies of Dan Kelly and Steve Hart were lying close together or about 2ft. apart.
Constable Phillips deposed that he was stationed at Benalla during the Kelly operations. He generally corroborated the evidence of the previous witness as to events at Glenrowan. Did not think Mr O'Connor's position in the drain was one in which good service could be done, although it was a safe position. Did not see any constable running away from Ned Kelly.
The commission adjourned until 11 o'clock a.m. on Tuesday.
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