The Argus at KellyGang 7/4/1881 (3)
Moors giving evidence
Clerks complained of the length of time that they were kept in the office. Apart from this delay, he could not admit that there had been any confusion in the office. There was no muddle or disorganisation. The office was not in such a state as to require that Captain Standish should return.
The BOARD – Were there many papers delayed?
Witness – Not more than the usual number. Some were held over designedly. He himself suggested that some should be held over.
The BOARD – You swear that the office was in its usual state?
Witness – Yes; except for the delay in getting off papers arising at first for the want of familiarity of Mr Nicolson with the office. Otherwise there was no confusion, the work was all properly done, and the papers were always cleared up as usual. There was certainly no accumulation of papers. Witness could not see that Captain Standish was correct in speaking of the office as being in a muddle.
The CHAIRMAN – You say from your own knowledge that it could not possibly be so.
Witness did not think that Captain Standish could possibly mean to say that things were in such a muddle. Witness never communicated with Captain Standish so as to lead him to believe that there was any necessity for his return, nor did he (witness) know from what source Captain Standish could have received information to lead him to believe so, or to believe the affairs of the office to be in a muddle. Apart from the inconvenience caused to the clerks, the public interests did not suffer in any way from the delay alluded to, as far as he was aware. Witness stated that an exact account of the funds paid in secret money could not be furnished, as there were some sums for which receipts were not obtained.
The CHAIRMAN – Did it appear in the office that there was a serious dispute between Captain Standish and Mr Nicolson?
Witness – There was an evident want of sympathy between them. He thought he could trace it back to about 12 months before the capture of the Kellys. There was no dispute manifest in the office. He was not personally present at any misunderstanding. He saw all the letters sent to the North- eastern district except those which were private. He did not see any letters that led him to believe that Captain Standish unduly interfered with Mr Nicolson He (witness) did not see the letter with regard to the cave party.
The BOARD – Did letters come under your notice in which it was indicated that the cave party was known?
Witness – No.
Mr DIXON pointed out that it was desired to examine witness with regard to Captain Standish's statement that it was generally understood at the barracks that the cave party was known. Was there information in the department to justify Captain Standish in making that statement? Did you know whether any communication was sent to the department to the above effect?
Witness – No. At times Captain Standish would show a degree of impatience as to what was going on at Benalla, and felt dissatisfied at not receiving sufficient information.
Mr Nicolson – You allude to the clerks being detained at night and complaining. Has that never occurred under any previous commissioner, or acting commissioner?
Witness said there had been no other before Captain Standish, unless they went back to the early days when, under Captain MacMahon, it was no unusual thing for the officers to be kept at work long and late, when the office was being got out of a chaotic state. At that time there was reason to be careful.
Mr Nicolson – Has there not lately been very good reason to be careful? Has there not been a peculiar, exceptional, and difficult period?
Witness – Certainly.
Mr Nicolson – Have not a good many of Captain Standish's decisions or papers been contradicted by returns?
Witness – Did not find any of the papers, &.c., sent back. He was not aware of their coming back from other departments on the ground that they had not properly comprehended or represented the matters dealt with. He never knew of any of Mr Nicolson's reports or papers being sent back as unsatisfactory.
Mr Nicolson – In addition to the usual correspondence of the office, was there not a great deal of extra work in my time?
Witness – Certainly. There was a very great pressure, as everyone in the office felt.
The CHAIRMAN – You do not acknowledge that there was any muddle in the office?
Witness – No.
To Mr Hare – Witness did not keep a record of all the papers taken out of the office, and could not state how many had been given to Mr Nicolson for him to peruse.
To the CHAIRMAN – There is no registry to show the papers taken out of the office. The present staff of the office was fully occupied therewise.
The CHAIRMAN – Could not a clerk keep such a registry?
Witness – One clerk might, but the clerks were fully occupied.
Mr Nicolson – Could you not recollect the number of papers that I have ever asked for?
Witness could not say exactly, but stated subsequently that only two had been so asked for, and were returned to the department.
The board adjourned till next day.
end
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