Royal Commission report day 19 page 26
The Royal Commission evidence for 13/5/1881
(see also introduction to day 19)
Sgt Whelan giving evidence
6545 With reference to this work of driving them away back, compelling them to have the use of more agents and sympathizers to bring provisions?— Yes, I consider it would.,
6546 Had they not plenty of sympathizers?— Yes, plenty; there was no scarcity. And the more; money they had the more they could get. I said the system of letting them come down would give the spies a better chance of seeing where they were.
6547 While they had money?— They had money all the time after the Euroa bank robbery. I said the more money they had the more sympathizers they would have, even outside their blood relations.
6548 Had they money after the Euroa affair?— Yes.
6549 Had they money after the Jerilderie?— Yes.
6550 Were not search parties kept up after Euroa and Jerilderie?— Yes, and before Euroa.
6551 After Euroa and Jerilderie?— Yes; search parties were kept up all the time, but not so many the last time.
6552 After Euroa and Jerilderie the system was discontinued?— To a certain extent; but you took a party one time, and went to Wangaratta with some information, and came back by Greta.
6553 That was only once?— Yes, and Mr. O'Connor
6554 That was a false alarm?— Yes.
6555 By Mr. O'Connor:— You stated as a reason why it was bad for our party to go out was on account of so many men being in the party—nineteen horses and men you said?— Yes, I think it was too many
6556 What was the number of Mr. Hare's party—the largest party he ever went out with without mine—not with me?— I think he generally took six or seven men.
6557 Could you not find the records in the office?— Yes.
6558 Are you aware he ever took out eleven men?— I do not remember. He might.
6559 Supposing I took out my six men, with one or two Victorian constables, that would not be too large a party?— No; but there would be only three then to fight.
6560 No matter; you did not know what the men were capable of when I brought them over— would that have been too large?— How many horses?
6561 Nine armed men on horses and two pack horses?— I think, if it could be avoided, it was too much.
6562 Why was it not avoided in the parties that Mr. Hare took out?— I do not know.
6563 If it was good for one, it was good for the other, in your opinion?— Decidedly.
6564 You are not aware that I objected to taking out so many white constables?— No.
6565 By the Commission. —Was Superintendent Sadleir at the side of the house where you were or the opposite side?— The opposite.
6566 Consequently you did not see much of him?— I did not.
6567 About the efficiency of the men: were the men inefficient who were left here by Mr. Nicolson; did he find them inefficient or more so after Captain Standish had left and Mr. Hare returned?— I did not observe any difference; I think the men were all efficient, willing, and courageous.
6568 If I understood Mr. Nicolson on his direct examination to say, as to the men he left in his absence (that is, his absence after December and on to July, to continue the work at Benalla), that he found those men when he returned in July inefficient, would that impression be incorrect—that is, that they became inefficient during his absence from Benalla; was there a great change in the men during Mr. Nicolson's absence?— I was going to ask, was it the same men Mr. Nicolson left that he found on his return; if go, I know there was a great change.
6569 The question I ask is this: would I be correct if I had formed the opinion that there was evidence before this Commission that the men left in this district, in Mr. Nicolson's absence, to continue the work became inefficient during the temporary command of Captain Standish and Mr. Hare. We objected that his evidence did not contain any such thing, and he thought it was not a fair question?— I think not, I will read the question as given here:— “Some of them had lost their ramrods, others their sight-guards; some of them had never fired a gun in their lives (so they stated), and they had all the appearance of it.” “Ramrods are used for cleaning those guns?— Yes, they are fastened in the usual way, The guns are breech-loading.” “What were those men you alluded to?— Policemen.” “Were those the men you had selected for this special service, or were they there by accident?— They were the men left in my absence,”
Mr. Nicolson. — That last is a misprint.
The Witness. — There was more practice with the Martini in Mr. Nicolson's time than in Mr. Hare's....
Previous page / Next page
| ! | The text has been retyped from a microfiche copy of the original. We have taken care to reproduce this document but areas of the original text may been damaged. |
The previous day / next day . . . Royal Commission index
