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Story of the KellyGang - the Royal Commission evidence

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The Royal Commission evidence for 31/5/1881

(see also introduction to day 23)

Sgt Steele giving evidence

9142 Would you like to go to Greta by yourself?— I would not mind in the least.

9143 You stated you were promised promotion if your record was good?— Yes.

9144 Was any other man promised promotion?— I did not hear of any.

9145 The Kelly capture took place just about the time of the change of the two Governments, the Service and the Berry, the elections were about that time; is it true that you said that your officer, Mr. Nicolson, promised you promotion provided Mr. Berry came back to power?— No, that is quite untrue. Mr. Nicolson never said anything of the kind to me. He made a remark to me one day, at Wangaratta. I had told him about some money that had been drawn out of the banks, and he knew I had a great deal of trouble camping out and knocking about after the Kellys. It was the time I supplied the information of their coming about Hart's place. He then said you are not a man very far advanced in the service, and he said, “If you distinguish yourself in the capture of the Kellys, it will advance you in the service,” or words to that effect.

9146 Did you have a letter from Mr. Nicolson from the Acting Chief Commissioner after the capture of the Kellys?— Yes, I have.

9147 Did you read that letter to any people in Wangaratta?— I do not think so.

9148 Did that letter promise you promotion?— Mr. Nicolson congratulated me upon my courage.

9149 Is that letter in existence?— I think I have it at home, somewhere. He said, “ I must congratulate you upon the courage displayed in the capture of Kelly. In reference to my promise of promotion your conduct is such that it does not require my aid.”

9150 Can you say that the letter was written from the Acting Chief Commissioner to you, congratulating you upon your active part taken in the capture of the Kellys, and saying that you had been promised promotion, and if the Berry Ministry came into power again–?— I do not think he ever mentioned the Berry Ministry at all.

9151 Or the Service Ministry?— No.

9152 Did you write a letter to that effect to any people in Wangaratta?— Never.

9153 It would be untrue?— Yes. Mr. Nicolson said, “Not being at the capture myself, I think my position is rather a delicate one, but your conduct should not require my aid to advance you in the service.” That is it as near as possible.

9154 By the Commission (to Mr. Nicolson) — Are you sure you were Acting Commissioner at the time?

Mr. Nicolson — I was not, I was quite out of it at that time.

9155 By the Commission (to the witness)— Was the letter written from the Wimmera?— I am not sure.

9156 Is there a feeling among the men that it requires political influence to get advancement in the force?— Yes, there is a great feeling of that sort.

9157 That they are not advanced then for merit?— I do not think they are. I know, myself, many men in the service who have been advanced through political influence.

9158 Are you aware of whether those appointments are political or by merit as a general rule–are you aware of any promotions having been made through political influence?— I cannot see how they could have been made otherwise; the men who have been promoted have done nothing to merit them

9159 What are the promotions that have been made undeservedly that lead you to mention that?— It would be a very unfair thing to ask me as a sub-officer to say so in reference to the promotions of men under me.

9160 I understand from some of the witnesses that a country officer of hard and not distinguished service may sometimes pass over the head of a very deserving officer in another district–how do you yourself expect to obtain promotion in the service; do you seek it through political influence or through your superior officer?— I never tried any political influence since I have been in the service. I have been very unfortunate. I have been in a part of the district, the North-Eastern district, where there were intemperate officers, and frequent changes of officers, and I, to a great extent, was neglected. I worked very hard in the police force, and have had numerous convictions, and suppressed crime; and latterly, instead of improving in the service, I seem to be retrograding the last few months since the capture of the Kellys my character has suffered more during that time than during the twenty-four years' service.....

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