Royal Commission report day 25 page 21
Story of the KellyGang - the Royal Commission Report
The Royal Commission evidence for 2/6/1881
(see also introduction to day 25)
[[../../people/peC/chomleyPsup.html|Sup Hussey Malone Chomle]] [[../../people/peC/chomleyPsup.html|y]] giving evidence
9975 Then Mr. O'Connor be the second officer in the North-Eastern district?— The second of two at Benalla.
9976 You make certain recommendations, and we want to know what would be the effect of those ?— It would be according to what position he was put on the list.
9977 Who would be number one?— Mr. Montfort.
9978 And Mr. O'Connor number two?— Yes.
9979 Was his appointment intended to be temporary or permanent, in your mind?— I did not think he would come if we made it temporary, or I would have made it so. I thought it would end in its being permanent; if I could have got him cheaper I would have tried to get him.
9980 Are you aware of the regulations that, except in special cases, promotions shall be made from the ranks?— Yes, and this is an exceptional thing.
9981 Do you consider this promotion from the ranks advantageous to the public service?— I do not know how it will end, it has acted fairly so far, but I do not know about the future. We have got some good officers from the ranks. The great thing I see against them is their age—before they are promoted they are so old; at the present moment I am the fifth youngest officer now in the service.
9982 Do you think if the promotions of officers were from those of a younger class the public service would be benefited?— Yes, that is the great drawback, the age.
9983 Would you have an educational test?— I think there should be an educational test for officers joining; you could take the Civil Service examination or whatever is fixed on.
9984 Do you think to be an efficient officer, superintendent, or inspector, a man should be able to ride?— Certainly.
9985 That is indispensable?— Yes, ride and drive, and take his turn at anything.
9986 Suppose a man rises from the ranks, how many years does it take him till he gets charge of a district?— I do not know. No one has ever done it yet.
9987 In Mr. Hare's evidence, he stated that he was too old for the Kelly work, that he had not the buoyancy that was needed for it?— Yes.
9988 And your evidence goes to show that a man must necessarily be beyond the prime of life, or well up to it, before he can be an officer?— Rising from the ranks, he must be past the prime; no man can possibly hope to be there till he is 45 or 50
9989 Would it be better that younger men should have charge of districts instead of the officers at present?— I do not know whether you can get the two things combined.
9990 Do you think the educational tests, with other tests, would narrow the number so that young men could get in sooner?— Yes.
9991 Did not Mr. Montfort rise from the ranks?— That was special promotion for special service, and he is not a young man; he is 50 years of age.
9992 Is it your opinion that inspectors ought to be young, active men?— Yes.
9993 For superintendent it does not matter if he has the experience of years?— Yes, he can drive about on the main roads.
9994 You said, in the ordinary run of promotion, a man would not obtain it till he was 45 ?— Yes.
9995 What age do the regulations provide that a man is to retire at?— Fifty‑five.
9996 Then he would have ten years of office only, under the most favorable conditions?— Yes.
9997 Mr. Baber reports that the police were quite unprepared for another outbreak in that district; how is that?— I suppose he alluded to not being able to get information. I do not know.
9998 Practically speaking, we have not gathered in this enquiry that the agents were of any value at all to the police?— They did not do anything; they did not catch the Kellys.
9999 Would he refer to the want of arms?— No.
10000 Of good bushmen?— I suppose he wanted more men.
10001 I apprehend what you want is young, active men?— Young, active, capable men, both as officers and men; we have too many old men.
10002 Is Inspector Baber a good horseman?— I believe he is.
10003 Is he a mounted man?— Yes.
10004 He is the officer there now in that district ?— Yes.
10005 What other officer is in that district?— Sub Inspector Pewtress.
10006 Is he an active horseman?— I understand he is not, I have not seen him.
10007 Do you know his previous service?— I know of his being in the Town Hall for years — Sargeant in charge. I know he is not a young man.
10008 He is a splendid officer?— Yes he is—a case of the right man in the wrong place.
The witness withdrew.
Adjourned till Tuesday next at Eleven o'clock .
[~[[See report of Proceedings 2/6/81]|6208]~]
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7/ 6/1881 ....
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