Royal Commission report 3/5/1881

Story of the KellyGang - the Royal Commission 3/5/1881

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Summary of the evidence on day 14 of the hearings

Sup Sadleir produced a return of the number of reported appearances of the KellyGang (see Appendix 5). He also mentioned the case of Smith and the £10

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some brief highlights

Det Ward commenced his evidence with his involvement in the Stringy Bark Murders.

He seems to have been in the right location at the right time. What was going on. A few days later he received information in Oxley that, on the night of Sunday the 27th October, there were four horsemen seen riding through Oxley at about 2am, near the Oxley square, going in the direction of the Pioneer Bridge. They had two pack-horses with them; they were going pretty quickly.

Later he heard that the KellyGang had passed through Everton and purchased some sardines. Ward then headed off to join Ass Com Nicolson and the hunt on the River Murray. The Royal Commission was concerned to find out whether the KellyGang were actually seen by anyone and when.

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Insp Montford explained his involvement with the Kelly Country and commented that the outbreak may have occured because the number and the strength of the police at the stations was reduced, and the number of stations was reduced, and that pressure thereby was taken off the criminal classes.

Insp Montfort set up the Glemore police station following the arrest of Harry Power. He thought it was important to keep down horse and cattle stealing, and the free passage of the criminal class, the Quinns and Kellys and their associates, backwards and forwards from Mansfield.

It was established in consequence of Power having established himself there. It was considered by Mr. Nicolson and Mr. Hare, who were there, and had to do with the capture of Power, advisable that a police station should be placed there for the express purpose of preventing what I have already stated, the free movement of criminals. It was abolished in direct opposition to the officers who originally had established it.

Montfort also had direct dealings with the police stationed at Greta including SConst Hall. He got grievously assaulted there by Pat Quin.

The next officer at Greta was Const Montgomery. He had no experience of these criminal classes. He came from the Portland district. It was Montfort's duty to inspect the Greta station, and after Montgomery was placed in charge of it, on the first occasion of he inspecting it, he noticed the Const's horse was very fat, and he was surprised that that horse should get so very fat.

Montfort commented on the other police at Greta including Const Hall and Flood. He also had a say in the Glenmore station and direct dealings with the Lloyds and the Quinns.

What was invloved in inspecting the outlying police stations?

How did police get promoted?

Is there a feeling amongst the ordinary constables and sergeants against the men promoted as officers?

Should police be moved around the country to different stations?

What difference is made between the single and the married policemen men in appointments?

If an officer of police were placed at one of those out-stations, and he had obtained one or two thousand acres of land, that would not prevent his being there if he did his duty?

Was it easier to be promoted in Melbourne or in the country areas?

Was there any political patronage?

Should police be inspectors of nuisances?

Who was incharge at Power's arrest, Nicolson or Hare?

How would Montfort deal with another outbreak by outlaws?

Where there any 'put up' cases?

What wer the relations between detectives and the general police like?

Why do the detectives visit the police lock up cells each morning?

Should there be more than one Commissioner of police; advantages?

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