Royal Commission report day 46 page 10
The Royal Commission evidence for 30/8/1881
(see also introduction to day 46)
F. C. Standish giving evidence
15952 By the Commission— At question 8314 there is another portion of the evidence, a report of Senior-Constable Kelly. I think before you answer that question you ought to be seised of the whole circumstances of the case. Do you think it would have been prudent for Kelly to take charge of the Greta station after the very active part he had taken in prosecuting the outlaws and sympathizers?— I will give my candid opinion. In the case of a man who has done such very active duty, and been so important an agent instrumental in the destruction of the Kelly gang, and who is, moreover; a married man, I really cannot see any impropriety in his applying for transfer.
15953 Do you know the entry that Mr. Sadleir made on Kelly's sheet?— I have read it here. I do not see, after being two years there, and working very hard the whole time, any harm in Kelly's applying for transfer to another district.
15954 To Mr. Sadleir— Was Kelly made aware of that record on his sheet?— No, I was not at liberty to make him aware of it; but when he gave his answer in his evidence, at questions 8593 and 8600, he had seen it, “Did you distinctly understand, from what Mr. Sadleir told you, that it was to be only a temporary remove to Greta?— Yes, temporary.” “You knew that?— Yes.” “Have you any idea of the meaning of ‘temporary’?— I expected four or five months.” And there were also promises of promotion held out to him as far as I had power.
15955 By Mr. Sadleir (to the witness)— Was it an extravagant thing for me to expect Kelly to go and do his duty even in the face of danger—looking at it from my point of view, I having to manage the district, was it unreasonable that I should put a man like Kelly for a short time in a dangerous position, he being the only efficient man I had?— I do not see why you should not have directed him to go there.
15956 Then it all amounts to this, that, in your opinion, I may have been harsh; but may I not have been justified in making the entry?— The officer in charge has to exercise his power on his own judgment.
15957 Is it a mark of tyrannical or harsh dealing?— I never knew you to be harsh with anybody under you.
By the Commission — Here is Kelly's own evidence—[reading question 8333 above]. That is the officer's report, and now we will read Kelly's report, when asked to remain at Greta—[reading questions 8314 et seq. above]. On that comes the memorandum that Mr. Sadleir put on the papers.
Mr. Sadleir — But you must take that in connection with question 8590.
15958 The Chairman— The question is, whether that was a fair report to make on the sheets, after the services the man had performed. (To the witness) — Have you any opinion to offer?—
Mr. Sadleir — I beg your pardon, will you read question 8590 in addition to what you have read? [Questions 8590 to 8598 were read to the witness.]
15959 By Mr. Sadleir (to the witness)— Was it an unreasonable thing to ask Kelly to take charge of the Greta station, as a temporary arrangement, under those circumstances?— Well, I think it was reasonable on your part to order him there; but still I do not quite concur in the unfavorable entry in his record sheet.
Mr. Sadleir — I wish to state that later circumstances have come to my knowledge showing that Senior-Constable Kelly—like myself, Sergeant Whelan, and other men, who were very anxious, and took a prominent part in the Kelly captures—was thoroughly exhausted after the business was over; and I think, if he had been as fresh as he was in the earlier stage of the proceedings, he would not have dreaded taking charge of Greta or any other station; and, in so far as my overlooking the trial and exhaustion he had undergone is concerned, I now admit that I possibly did do him an injustice. I have no hesitation in saying he is a first-class man, and one whom I would like to have serving with me anywhere.
The witness withdrew .
Adjourned to to-morrow at Eleven o'clock .
[see repor [~[t of proceedings 30/8/81 ]|6505]~]
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