Royal Commission report day 22 page 24
The Royal Commission evidence for 18/5/1881
(see also introduction to day 22)
SConst Kelly giving evidence
8599 And there was nothing more that I could do?— There was not.
8600 By the Commission— Would you consider that, if hopes of promotion were held out to you, a very unfavorable report would strike those hopes down?— That would prevent it.
Mr. Sadleir — But the hopes of promotion were conditional, and the condition was not fulfilled.
The Commission — “27/9/80” –that is the date of that recommendation for promotion; there is no condition here.
Mr. Sadleir — Bot the conversation was after that he was recommended for promotion, and he probably knew it. When a man is specially recommended I usually tell him, but it was after that recommendation that this conversation took place and those further hopes of promotion were held out.
The Commission — And after that conversation you wrote this minute upon the paper?
Mr. Sadleir — Which minute?
The Commission — The last one.
Mr. Sadleir — Yes.
The Commission — And that was in your mind to prevent the promotion.
Mr. Sadleir — Yes. I had no particular view to do it; it was to express exactly my opinion, without regard to any other consideration.
The Commission — What would be the effect of that expression of opinion?
Mr. Sadleir — No doubt it would be injurious to the man.
The Commission — Do we understand you to say that, irrespective of this private record sheet, when a man was recommended for promotion, you generally informed him of it?
Mr. Sadleir — No, when a man was specially recommended for promotion.
8601 By Mr. Sadleir (to the witness)— I ask you, as a sensible man, put yourself for a moment in the position of an officer in charge of a difficult district like that, what would your feelings be after a disappointment if a man you chose declined, for any reason whatever, to go into the place?— Into which place?
8602 I say–put yourself in the position of an officer in charge of a district like that, would it not be a disappointment to you if a man you selected for a difficult and dangerous post showed a disinclination to go?— Yes.
8603 I ask you the same: have you any harshness to complain of in that minute of mine; is it any exaggeration of your own statement?— I believe it is injurious to me.
8604 Is it any exaggeration of the reasons you gave me for not wishing to go?— No.
8605 Is it not my duty, without any personal favor to you, or any consideration for your private feelings and interests, to say exactly what I thought was fair?— Yes.
8606 There is only one question more, and I suppose there is a reference to some jealousy felt by the force–whether officers or men I do not know–as regards Mr. Hare's county of Bourke men–men of his own district: was there one man of Mr. Hare's district in the first attack upon Glenrowan–Gascoigne does not belong to his district?— No.
8607 Never did?— Never did.
8608 Phillips was not of his district? — He was transferred, I believe.
8609 And Arthur?— Yes.
8610 And Barry, he was an exception, he might be a Bourke man?— Yes, Barry was Bourke at the time.
8611 No, he was a Western district man; yourself, you were a North-Eastern district man?— Yes.
8612 Where could the jealousy come in?— It was in the first set-off.
8613 I understand it to be Glenrowan. As regards Glenrowan, there was no man to be jealous of because he belonged to Bourke–Mr. Hare's district?— No.
8614 By Mr. Hare— You were at Benalla when I relieved Mr. Nicolson on the 2nd June?— I was; I was stationed at Benalla.
8615 Do you remember an agent, I will not mention his name, coming down from Beechworth to see me?— Yes.....
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