Royal Commission report day 2 page 22
The Royal Commission evidence for 24/3/1881
(see also introduction to day 2 )
Assistant Commissioner Nicholson giving evidence
645 For a long time it was your impression that the operations to capture the Kellys were futile?- I will not fix the date.
646 When the parties were out searching for the Kellys you had the impression for some time that the operations of the police were futile?- Yes; it must have been I was disgusted with the mode of procedure.
647 I would like to ask now, as it seems to my mind important-you have now, in the course of your evidence, intimated the position that some of the officers held, and to use the expression that it is strained, that there was an unfriendly feeling, a want of the usual co operation, between you and Captain Standish, and between you and Mr. Hare?- No; I do not say so at all. There is not that feeling; but captain Standish exhibited towards me that feeling on frequent occasions for a considerable time.
648 Now between you and Mr. Hare what is the position?- Just now?
649 For some time you say you had not much communication with him?- I have not. There are many officers I do not have communication with.
650 Up to the 12th December was there any unfriendly feeling?- No.
651 Looking after the efficiency of the force was your special duty under the 36th section of the regulations, and I want to know from you what was the feeling between other officers of the force-was a friendly feeling between Superintendent Winch and Captain Standish?- Mr. Winch and Captain Standish were on very good terms. I do not know now-I believe they meet and speak with each other.
652 Do you believe that Captain Standish and Superintends Winch are on friendly terms with each other, such as would be between a senior superintending officer and his chief?- Well, it appears that just about the time of the Kelly business at Euroa, but nothing to do with that, there was some feeling between the two.
653 Then would you say at the time of Captain Standish leaving the service that there was a strained relationship between Superintendent Winch and Captain Standish?- No, not at that time.
654 Is there now?- I am not aware.
655 Is there a strained feeling between you, the next under Captain Standish, and Mr. Winch?- No.
656 Not in the least?- No; I am not on intimate terms with or in the habit of associating with any of them.
657 It is not a question of intimate terms?- I meet Mr. Winch on duty, and he meets me, on the same intimate terms as I met all the others, with one exception.
658 Who is that?- I would rather not mention it.
659 Is that with Captain Standish?- He is not in the force. I say, with one exception, I am on friendly terms with every officer I come in contact with in the force, especially those who are well conducted.
660 You do not think there is a strained feeling between Superintendent Winch and Captain Standish, or between any officer and yourself?- I do not know about the feelings between Superintendent Winch and Captain Standish; I do not want to know anything about them.
661 It is important to see we have got the right statements before us; it is important to see what is the feeling of the brother officers; and, as the Acting Chief Commissioner, I thought you could have formed an opinion and could have told us what is your feeling with regard to the feeling of one officer to another. Is it one that is advantageous to the public service?- I believe the feeling between the officers is exceedingly good.
662 You say between the officers, one with the other, that the feeling is extremely good?- Yes, I do; but officers come very little in contact with each other now. Some do not come in contact for years, and they get strange to each other. ..
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