Royal Commission report Appendix 1 page 4

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The Royal Commission Appendix 1

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[[../../people/peL_M/montfortWPInsp.html|Insp William B. Montfort]] giving evidence

45 The question is this: is there any one on that list who has spoken to you and told you that, in the event of their being required, they would not assist the police in future?— That man “ Denny “ (alias) told Sergeant Whelan that he certainly would not mention a single thing again—that he might speak to Whelan himself, but he certainly would not open his lips to any one else. I told Whelan I did not want the man to speak to me. I said, “Any information you may get I will never ask you the name of your informant; I simply want you to give the information to me.” This man “Foot” I would not trust three yards; he is one of the biggest ruffians in the colony. However, none of those men have spoken to me about not assisting the police in future.

46 In point of fact, as to the conversation you have had with the people of the district, it is only a matter of suspicion in their own minds that those agents would not give information if they were required?— I believe they were told by agents.

47 Is it generally known in the district who those agents were?— Oh, no.

48 That is the difficulty that meets us in trying to understand this matter?— Sergeant Whelan told me that the agents who spoke to him said they would not give him information again through fear of their names being mentioned.

49 If your system be adopted as to stationing the police and so on, there would not be the same necessity to seek for private information as hitherto?— I believe there would be no necessity to have recourse to anything of the sort, because the result of the system, if carried out, would be that no outbreak would occur; and, therefore, no agents would be needed. If there should be an outbreak, I cannot tell now what would be required.

50 But if there were, with the police stationed in that way they would be acquainted with the people?— Yes; and I am in hope we would require no agents at all.

51 Constable Gascoigne in his evidence, said that what he thought was wanted in the district was young, active men, well mounted, to keep patrolling; and he said they would get a personal knowledge of the criminal class, would mix with them, and be in a position to give snore correct and reliable information themselves than could be got from any of those agents?— That is exactly what I have done in the general order I have issued.

52 Do you consider that is really the best plan for keeping the district in order?— Yes. It was the plan we had when I was stationed up there before. The men were all en rapport with the public. They would remain there as an army of occupation.

53 Do you consider that it would be a wise expenditure to mount those men well?— Certainly; it is indispensable that they should be well mounted.

54 And indispensable that there should be a system of visitation of different districts almost daily—that the men should be kept riding about to show themselves everywhere?— Undoubtedly.

55 That has been provided for—and by doing that they will become acquainted with every movement of men of such a class as the Kellys, and would be able to nip them in the bud.?— Undoubtedly. That is precisely the step we have taken. We know where they are now; we know where they go to—Lake Rowan, Greta, Mason's, Moyhu, and so on—we know where they are very well

56 And you know all their haunts?— Yes.

57 Do you consider, from your knowledge of the country, that had that system been properly in operation when the Kelly outbreak did take place, the outlaws would have been caught sooner?— I do not believe, if it had been in operation, that the outbreak would have taken place at all.

58 If it had?— That I cannot say.

59 Would the chances be greater for catching them?— Undoubtedly; because the police would have the confidence of the people, who would not be afraid to give them information.

60 Would not the outlaws be in constant dread when they found one or two men galloping through the country in every possible direction and comparing notes?— Undoubtedly. It would, in my position, have rendered their position untenable.

61 By this system of patrols the police would be kept moving backwards and forwards as if on a chess-board, meeting each other half-way, and comparing notes about criminal matters—going half-way to one station one day; and half-way to another the next—Have you that system in full operation?— Not yet; because I have been only about four weeks there; but the order is issued, and it will be put into operation as quickly as possible....

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