Royal Commission report day 41 page 2
The Royal Commission evidence for 2/8/1881
(see also introduction to day 41)
[[../../people/peU_Z/winchSup.html|Sup Frederick Alfred Winch]] giving evidence
14214 In point of fact the feeling through the force was that Mr. Hare was really the moving Acting Commissioner of Police?— Yes.
14215 And in consequence of that was there a feeling against Mr. Hare?— There was no doubt a feeling of jealousy amongst other officers, senior and junior to him, that he had too much voice in the general control of police affairs.
14216 Then this feeling has gone further than as between Mr. Nicolson and Mr. Hare . It has been participated in by other officers?— I think so. That has been the feeling generally.
14217 Did that feeling go downwards in the force, are you aware—that is, were there men in the police force who seemed to take sides—that is, the constables?— I do not know; I never heard an expression of opinion from any constable or subordinate on that point. That would not be likely to come to me.
14218 Do you think that, in the position that Mr. Hare then occupied, being, as you suppose, the favorite of the Chief Commissioner, he did more or less than you would have done had you been similarly circumstanced?— I cannot say. That is a hypothetical case. I do not see how I could answer that.
14219 Did he do more than you would have done if you had been brought into a similar position with Captain Standish?— I cannot say that. If Captain Standish had taken me into his confidence in the same way as he did Mr. Hare , no doubt I should have given the best advice I possibly could, and done the best I could for the service generally.
14220 Are you aware of any instance where Mr. Hare had shown any superiority in his judgment that would lead him to be looked up to as being worthy of more confidence than the others?— Certainly not. There are officers in the force who have done a great deal more than Mr. Hare ever did—much more duty, and more important duty, in respect to the capture of bushrangers and others.
14221 Then the feeling in the force is that the chance of promotion was interfered with by this apparent favoritism to one officer?— Yes, and my opinion has been much strengthened by the evidence given before this Commission, by which it appears that Captain Standish had proposed Mr. Hare to be the Commissioner in his place, if anything happened to him; so that, in fact, Mr. Hare carried in his pocket the Chief Commissionership.
14222 That led to the disaffection that has existed since that period?— Yes. I felt it, as the senior officer of the force next to the Commissioner, that he was chosen in this matter of the Kelly business to be sent up there over my head, because, I unhesitatingly say, when Mr. Nicolson was recalled I anticipated that I should be the officer sent, instead of which Mr. Hare was sent up; and I believe positively that Captain Standish intended all along that, if possible, Mr. Hare should be at the capture of those men. I think, in that aspect of the thing, I was treated very unfairly in the matter, because I have been twentynine years in the police force now, and have captured bushrangers personally over and over again, and have had great experience in the early days of the goldfields in such matters, and I could not make out how I was passed over in that way. I felt it a great grievance.
14223 Was that a general feeling?— Well, I know all the other officers expressed their great astonishment at the way I was treated in the matter.
14224 Would the fact of that jealousy existing, and Mr. Hare being placed in the position you have described, have a tendency to prevent him from obtaining information he might otherwise have obtained from officers subordinate to himself?— I do not think that. I can say this, that, although I was senior to Mr. Hare by many years, although I felt aggrieved that he was sent there instead of my being sent, still I obtained valuable information in Melbourne here, every part of which I at once furnished him with.
14225 Then what you say is meant to be a reflection only upon the Chief Commissioner, and not in any way upon the fitness of Mr. Hare?— Not at all.
14226 You do not wish to reflect upon him?— Not in the least; but I think I may say, without egotism, that I am not only just as good as he, but also, I have had greater experience in such matters.
14227 But it is the case that it had a bad effect upon the force generally?— Yes, it simply amounts to this—if anybody was captured this officer would naturally get great credit for it, and possibly advancement; therefore, if the officer senior to him is debarred from distinguishing himself in that way, it is unfair, and I consider they dealt with me in that way unfairly.
14228 You are aware that there was a superintendent in the North-Eastern district—Mr. Sadleir?— Yes, I know Mr. Sadleir; he was a subaltern of mine for a long time.
14229 Has any reason come under your notice why he was not entrusted with the capture of the outlaws in that district?— No, I have heard no reason, all I know is he was superseded.....
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