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Royal Commission Appendix 20 for 5 July 1881

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Story of the KellyGang - the Royal Commission

Minutes of Proceedings

== The Royal Commission ==

''''''

=== full text ===

== <span id="_Toc504103571">[[#_Toc504103571|APPENDIX 20]]</span> ==

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS HELD BY THE ROYAL COMMISSION

== '''TUESDAY, 5th JULY 1881.''' ==

Present:

Mr. LONGMORE in the Chair;

Mr Anderson, Mr Hall

Mr Dixon, Mr Levey

Mr Graves, Mr Gibb

The progress report, as appended, was finally adopted, and the Secretary instructed to forward it, when signed by the several members of the Commission, in due course. The Chairman read the memo. of the Honorable the [[Chief Secretary|Chief Secretary]] forwarding a communication from Superintendent [[Sadleir|Sadleir]] asking to be re-employed in active duty, on the ground that he had been only called as a witness before the Commission, and that he had been relieved from further attendance.

''Resolved'' —That, in the opinion of the Commission, Superintendent Sadleir does not occupy the position of a witness only in connection with the enquiry now proceeding.

Mr. Sadleir was called before the Commission and informed of the decision arrived at

''Ordered'' —That arrangements be made for the attendance of the Very Rev. Dean [[Matthew Gibney|Gibney]] for the purpose of cross-examination by Mr. Sadleir.

The Acting Chief Commissioner of Police, Mr. [[Chomley (2)|Chomley]], called and examined.

''Resolved'' —That, having heard the evidence of Mr. Chomley, the Commission cannot see their way to alter the recommendation made to the Honorable the Chief Secretary on the 29th March last, requesting that Mr. [[Nicolson|Nicolson]], Assistant Chief Commissioner, Superintendent [[Hare|Hare]], and Superintendent Sadleir should receive leave of absence pending the result of the enquiry

The Secretary was instructed to forward the resolution to the Honorable the Chief Secretary.

The following is the progress report of the Commission :—

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY —

A Royal Commission was appointed on March 7th 1881, under letters patent by Your Excellency—

1st. To enquire into the circumstances preceding and attending the Kelly outbreak.

2nd. As to the efficiency of the police to deal with such possible occurrences

3rd. To enquire into the action of the police authorities during the period the Kelly gang were at large.

4th. The efficiency of the means employed for their capture; and

5th. Generally to enquire into and report upon the present state and organization of the police force.

Subsequently a memo., dated 10th May 1881, from the Hon. Graham Berry, [[Chief Secretary|Chief Secretary]] of the colony, was received by the Commissioners as follows:— “The Chief Secretary will be glad if the Police Commission will submit separately, and at their earliest convenience, such of their recommendations as have reference to Mr. Inspector [[O'Connor|O’Connor]] and the black trackers under him, as in the projected reorganization of the police arrangements for the North-Eastern district, it may be found necessary that Mr. O'Connor should be re-appointed.”

Your Commissioners have now the honor to submit the following progress report:—

1 That the evidence before the Commission is not of such a character as to warrant your Commissioners in recommending the Honorable the Chief Secretary to appoint Mr. Stanhope O'Connor to the position of an inspector of police in the North-Eastern district.

2 Your Commissioners are of opinion that the Government should make provision for the permanent employment of black trackers as an auxiliary branch of the police service; care being taken that they shall be trained to habits of subordination, and made amenable to the general discipline of the force.

Your Commissioners would also recommend—

3 That, as far as practicable, a thorough system of police patrol shall be established throughout the colony, more especially in the North-Eastern district.

4 That immediate steps be taken by the Government to arm the mounted police of the colony with the Martini-Henry carbine; that the entire force shall be instructed in the use of the weapon by means of periodical target practice; and that a reasonable quantity of ammunition shall be served out to each man for that purpose.

(signed) FRANCIS LONGMORE, Chairman

WILLIAM ANDERSON

JAS. GIBB

JAMES H. GRAVES,

GEORGE W. HALL,

GEO. R FINCHAM

E. J. DIXON

GEO. COLLINS LEYEY,

6/7/1881,

FRANCIS LONGMORE, Chairman.

______________

[[Royal Commission report Appendix 20|Introduction to Minutes of Proceedings]]

[[Royal Commission Appendix 20 for 1 July 1881|Previous day]] / [[Royal Commission Appendix 20 for 6 July 1881|Next day]]

'''see [[Royal Commission report day 35 page 1|first page]] of the evidence reffered to in these minutes'''

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