Royal Commission report day 23 page 20
The Royal Commission evidence for 31/5/1881
(see also introduction to day 23)
Sgt Steele giving evidence
9161 Are you aware there is a record kept generally of marks?— There is supposed to be. But I never saw it.
9162 You state, since the capture of the Kellys you are not in as good a position as before–in what respect?— Latterly some person has been speaking to the Acting Chief Commissioner in reference to me, and there has been, and information has come to me, that it is about a little disturbance between the magistrates and myself at Wangaratta; and my hopes in the force have been quite blasted through these remarks about myself. I have no chance of defending myself, that is before the present Chief Commissioner, and it is evidently some tattling. I have not been called upon to answer any charges. I could answer them if I had a chance.
9163 Who is your accuser?— I do not know.
9164 Have you formed any opinion of who your accuser is?— I cannot, unless it is the superintendent of the district.
9165 Who is that?— Mr. Sadleir was.
9166 Is it usual for charges of this kind to be against any man in the service without his getting a fair chance of answering?— I think not. Of course the police and local magistrates will have some little disturbance occasionally. This had to do with complaints made in reference to remarks that I made in regard to the local magistrates; and even suppose I did make the remarks, I was quite justified, because what I said could be proved to be true.
9167 Has the magistrate complained?— He has.
9168 Who was he?— Mr. Parfitt was one.
9169 Is he a publican?— Yes. Mr. Bickerton one also; but Mr. Parfitt urged the thing because my duties called me out to his place to make some enquiries; there is some animosity against me. I went out there, and it appears that he, with the police officers, would take the word of individuals in preference to an old experienced sub-officer in the force.
9170 Mr. Sadleir— The papers are all in the commissioner's office. Sergeant Steele has seen all that I have.
9171 By the Commission— Have you been called upon by the Acting Superintendent of Police to explain this conduct?— I have not been.
9172 And, in consequence, you feel some injustice has been done?— From a paragraph in the last minutes sent to me he said, “Several complaints have been made to me; what I want to find out is what those several complaints are.” I want to know why I am accused by the Acting Chief Commissioner, and not get the chance of defending myself, because my character will bear fully looking into as much as any sub-officer in the district. I think I have been unfairly dealt with in that respect.
9173 Have you anything you wish to add in reference to the Glenrowan affair?— No; I think I have given all the particulars about it.
9174 When you came to Glenrowan that morning, you said you saw Senior-Constable Kelly?— Yes.
9175 I presume you were pressed for time; but did he give you a general outline of where the men were posted?— No, he did not say where they were posted. He merely said O'Connor and the black trackers were down in the drain.
9176 Did he say anything about how the opposite side of the house was guarded?— No, he did not say anything about it; he merely remarked there were about 30 of them up in the house, and they were all armed.
The witness withdrew.
Adjourned till Eleven o'clock to‑morrow.
[See report of Proceedings 31/5/81
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1/6/1881 ....
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