Royal Commission report day 1 page 13
The Royal Commission evidence for 23/3/1881
(see also introduction to day 1 ) Captain Standish giving evidence
90 On the 5th July 1880 had you confidence in Mr. Nicolson?- I did not refer to Mr Nicolson in the letter at all.
91 Had you lost confidence in Mr. Nicolson on that date?- I had, and long before.
92 How long?- Three or four months before.
93 What is the date of that?- Fifteenth of March 1880
94 I refer to all these things you made reference to-first, supineness and apathy; and secondly that they desired rather to avoid than meet the Kellys. "That I have been guilty of most culpable procrastination; that the police officers have shown a want of generalship." In what way do you desire to qualify that, or can you qualify it?- You know the police are constantly attacked in newspapers. Not that it ever affected me in the least, and, being a public servant, it never affects me.
95 You say there, "I have been charged with being guilty of most culpable procrastination"?- That is Mr. Service's statement.
96 "That the police officers have shown a want of generalship." Do you believe "that the police officers have shown a want of generalship," all or any, and, if so, particularise the ones, if you do say they showed a want of generalship. Do you believe they did or not ?- None of those who were actively engaged in the pursuit of the Kellys did.
97 Do you say Superintendent Hare showed generalship, and it would be a false charge saying he showed a want of generalship?- It would be. We could not have had a better officer.
98 Do you say Mr. Sadleir showed want of generalship, you being Chief Commissioner of Police at that time?- He never was at the head of affairs.
99 You do not say he showed want of generalship?- No.
100 Do you think Mr. Nicolson showed want of generalship?- I do.
101 What were you in the service until you left it?- I was Chief Commissioner of Police.
102 What was Mr. Nicolson?- Inspecting Superintendent of Police with the honorary title of "Assistant Commissioner."
103 Is that honorary title of "Assistant Commissioner" recognised either by the police law or the regulations?- There is no such title in the regulations.
104 What, by the regulations, are the duties of an inspecting superintendent, which Mr Nicolson?- His duties are, by my instruction as head of the department, to visit the districts, and to visit all stations, and to make a special report on them, and otherwise to be employed on such duties as the head of the department might direct him to perform.
105 I understood you to say that he was to act, under your instructions, certain duties. Are these his duties:- "It is the duty of the inspecting superintendent to proceed form time to time, in accordance with such instructions as he may receive from the Chief Commissioner, to the several districts, for the purpose of investigating and inspecting the force, and reporting on the state in which he finds it, or for the purpose of investigating and reporting on any charge of misconduct against the police or any other matter which the Chief Commissioner of Police may wish to have enquired into"?- Those are his duties.
106 Who is the next after Mr. Nicolson?- Superintendent Winch is the senior superintendent, who is in; charge of the City police.
107 Who is the next officer?- Mr. Chomley.
108 The next?- I cannot remember all.
109 Is it not Mr. Hare?- No.
110 Is it Mr. Chambers?- I really cannot tell you. He is one of the five first.
111 The Commission wish to know how the districts are situated. Now in whose district is Melbourne and the suburbs?- Mr. Winch's, the superintendent of the City police.
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