Royal Commission Appendix 20 for 5 July 1881
Story of the KellyGang - the Royal Commission
Minutes of Proceedings
The Royal Commission
APPENDIX 20
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 forwarding a communication from Superintendent 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 Gibney for the purpose of cross-examination by Mr. Sadleir.
The Acting Chief Commissioner of Police, Mr. 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, Assistant Chief Commissioner, Superintendent 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 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 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.
______________
Introduction to Minutes of Proceedings
see first page of the evidence reffered to in these minutes
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