Royal Commission report day 42 page 23
The Royal Commission evidence for 3/8/1881
(see also introduction to day 42)
Mr John Sherritt Jn giving evidence
14991 You thought it unsafe to remain at Beechworth?— Yes.
14992 After you left Beechworth what did you do?— I joined the force here, and I and my brother got so much allowed us each in Melbourne .
14993 Were you sworn in as a constable?— A few weeks after that we were. He gave we a letter down to Mr. Hare the depot.
14994 How long did you remain a member of the Victorian police?— I think six or seven weeks.
14995 How did you come to leave it?— I do not know “how”—I know I got the sack.
14996 Who dismissed you?— Mr. Nicolson .
14997 Did he assign any reason?— No.
14998 Had you misconducted yourself in any way?— No, not that I aware of. I was long enough there to know the regulations. If a man did anything, he was brought up and it was enquired into, and I was not brought up.
14999 After you were dismissed what have you done?— I have been only home once, I think.
15000 After leaving the Victorian police what did you do?— I went to South Australia , and worked there for a considerable time. I was not very well—I got a fall from a horse—the work went against me. I have been engaged in ploughing and butchering since.
15001 Where?— Up near Gisborne.
15002 Your friends are still living in the North-Eastern District?— Yes.
15003 Would you be under any danger if you were going back there to-day ?— I would not go back —I might just as well go and commit suicide myself at once. I am out of work just now.
15004 You have been doing anything you can?— Yes. I have been ploughing and butchering.
15005 Do you think the sympathizers with the Kellys and Byrnes keep up that feeling about the people still?— Yes; Mrs. Byrne would shoot me herself. It is not that. I would not care if a man came straight in front of me and let me see him shoot me, but when at my work out in the bush, they would shoot me quietly, and let no one know anything about it.
15006 The Byrne family?— Yes.
15007 Do you know where your other brother is now?— No.
15008 Was he in the police with you?— Yes, and dismissed at the same time.
15009 Was there any charge against him .?— No, I am certain there was not. I heard there was a statement in the press, and in these buildings here, that some one saw in the paper that he was dead.
15010 From what you know of the people in the North-Eastern District, and the steps taken by your brother, is he likely to return to the North-Eastern District?— No, he would not go back.
15011 The same fear and dread would be in his mind as in yours?— Yes. On the night that Aaron was shot they asked if Bill or Jack was inside.
15012 Is there a strong feeling of that sort in the district—are there many that would take that part, or is it only the family?— There are a good many sympathizers.
15013 Are they scattered about much through the district?— Yes, they are.
15014 You have no fear of them committing any act except against you, from information?— That is all. Oh, I do not know whom they may shoot, but I would not trust Mrs. Byrne for a moment.
15015 Would you be still anxious to join the Victorian police?— Well, I do not know. If I had an opportunity, I would; but I do not think it would be any use joining the Victorian police. I would if I got the opportunity.
15016 Why would it be no use?— After I got discharged from the police force, I made a declaration to Mr. Graves that I was known by all the detectives, and five or six dogged me about at the Exhibition, and Mr. Graves said, “You had better look out for them.” I told Mr. Graves about it. I was frightened they would get me into trouble, because when Mr. Nicolson discharged me he said, “I would advise you to go out of Melbourne , because if you stay in Melbourne you will be in trouble before three months.”
15017 Did he assign any reason?— No.
15018 Did he say, “You have been doing so-and-so, and you had better go”?— No.
15019 You had done nothing?— I had done nothing I should leave the country for, except assist the police in catching the Kellys .
15020 You mean you do not now think you would be allowed to join?— No, I think if I did, it would not be long before I got the sack, because I was not well liked by the officers.
15021 But you would do your duties properly?— Yes.....
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