Royal Commission report Appendix 1 page 5
The Royal Commission Appendix 1
[[../../people/peL_M/montfortWPInsp.html|Insp William B. Montfort]] giving evidence
62 And the intention is to make it complete?— It will certainly be made complete if I am allowed my way in the matter; but I would ask you to insist that the men get first-class horses, and that they be armed with the Martini-Henry carbine—every man in the North-Eastern district.
63 You approve of having arms of the same character for the whole force?— Certainly.
64 So that one class of ammunition will suit for any one?— Yes.
65 And a thorough system of drill and the men to be exercised in the use of arms?— Decidedly
66 Because, according to the evidence, that has not been so up to the present time?— No; they are armed like a Turkish brigade, with all kinds of weapons.
67 Ned Kelly, in explaining the easiness with which he evaded the police, told Gascoigne, previous to his execution, that as long as strange police were going amongst them they could laugh at them. He said, “If you want to keep the districts quiet you will have men employed who know the place and people”?— Precisely—that is the axiom.
68 That is what he said the night before he was executed?— Every man would —any child in the place will tell you the same.
69 Have you the best men there?— We have very good men there, but of course there may be some not so good—I have been only at very few stations.
70 You have not been to Mansfield ?— That is under Sergeant Pewtress. He has a first-class man there.
71 Is he one of the best men in the force—named James?— Yes, and he could not be better placed than he is at present.
72 Are you not in charge of that district?— No, certainly not.
73 Are you not altogether doing Mr. Sadleir's duty?— Certainly. You asked me had I been to Mansfield , and I meant to say I had not, because Sergeant Pewtress was there, and there was no necessity for my going.
74 But you are responsible for it—it is within your district?— Yes, certainly. He is sub-inspector placed there under me.
75 You control that district?— Yes, certainly—I misunderstood the drift of the question.
76 Would you provide every constable with a revolver?— A Webley revolver and a Martini-Henry carbine.
77 Both mounted and foot?— Well, I do not say anything about the foot.
78 That is a question of some importance?— Well, I would arm the whole lot of them.
79 Would you give the foot police the long rifle or the short carbine?— The short carbine, because I would have no foot men there that could not ride in case of emergency.
80 Then with regard to getting bodies of men together periodically for purposes of drill, do you approve of that?— I do not think that is feasible.
81 Not possible?— No; it is not a question of drill so much as a knowledge of the bush. It is a guerilla warfare altogether if there is anything of the sort required. They must be good shots and good riders; in fact, it is not the opposing of an enemy, but to find out where the enemy is, is the difficulty.
82 Would you consider that both the men and horses should be trained in leaping fences?— Yes, I think so. The difficulty has been to prevent them leaping logs and fences; but every man should be able to jump his horse over a fence, and that should be done when he is trained in the depot.
83 You have got the black trackers now at Benalla?— Yes.
84 Under Constable Kirkham?— He is directly in charge. He lives with them, but he cannot be said to be in command of them. I control them myself.
85 If sent out for duty, does he go with them?— Yes, generally.
[Mr. O'Connor was, called in, and the Chairman directed that the evidence to follow should be printed in the usual course.]...
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