Royal Commission report day 46 page 6
The Royal Commission evidence for 30/8/1881
(see also introduction to day 46)
F. C. Standish giving evidence
15870 Are you sure that Mr. Sadleir did not bring him up to you?— No, I think Mr. Sadleir came and told me that you wanted to speak to me, and then you took me up to Sherritt, who was close by. You first spoke about the chances of his putting away the outlaws for a consideration; and you said if I gave him a personal assurance that he would get a considerable portion of the reward, you had little doubt he would help us.
15871 You are sure that was not one of the members of the police force?— No; it was Aaron Sherritt and yourself.
15872 Who was it spoke to him about the proposal as to the betrayal of the outlaws in your presence; you did not address this man?— That subject was never brought up on that occasion about one being pardoned; it was subsequently—many months afterwards—but not by Aaron Sherritt.
15873 What promise was given to Sherritt?— That he would get a substantial portion of the reward if he put away the outlaws.
15874 Was there any allusion to pardon?— No.
15875 Do you recollect when you first came to town, the first time after you relieved me, myspeaking to you about Aaron Sherritt in your room—in the adjoining room?— Yes.
15876 Mentioning to you that that was a sort of man that would be useful to us in capturing those outlaws?— Yes, I remember that.
15877 Do you recollect on that occasion my talking to you about the mistake made in talking (meaning the impropriety) of talking to that man on that occasion at Sebastopol ?— Certainly not, because it was you that took me up to him.
15878 Are you sure he was not taken up to you?— He was not; you took me up to him. I had not the slightest idea who he was till you told me
15879 You do not recollect on that occasion my pointing out the impropriety of one of the officers or members of the police speaking of a promise of pardon to some one in your presence, without authority from you?— There was no allusion made to the pardon when I was talking to Sherritt in your presence.
15880 About Mr. O'Connor's evidence being untrue, about his asking for a carriage for his wife and sister?— There is not a word of truth in it.
15881 Why then was the carriage sent up?— The first-class carriage was sent up for the officers.
15882 At whose request?— I had an order which I procured from the Chief Secretary and the Minister of Railways, Mr. Gillies, and I took the order to the railway station, and had the train sent out to pick up Mr.O'Connor and the black trackers at Essendon.
15883 Was it usual, on trips for such duty, to put a first-class carriage on for the officers?— I never ordered one.
15884 You have seen special trains at different times?— Considering an officer was in charge it was only fair he should have one.
15885 Do you remember going to Sebastopol with me—was there a carriage on or only a van?— No, only a van.
15886 Was that not the usual practice?— What has that to do with it? Mr. O'Connor 's statement is a deliberate untruth. Not only he never asked me for a special carriage, but if he had asked me I would have said I could not accede to it.
15887 And yet a first-class carriage was supplied, which was quite unusual?— That had nothing to do with me.
15888 My want of energy you spoke of and my inefficiency—will you tell, before the whole Commission, of any occasion on which I showed any inefficiency previous to this Kelly business?— No; I alluded to the last twelve months you were there. You apparently did nothing and threw away many chances.
15889 Will you tell me one instance where I ever failed in my duty—mention one?— The evidence that I have read, taken before the Commission, shows you threw away numbers of chances during the twelve months.
15890 Tell the Commission one instance, where I was employed in the police force, in which I failed. It is a disagreeable thing for me to ask any question of the kind about myself, but, when I have such charges against me, it is unavoidable?— When I used the words “want of energy” I did not mean it to apply to the time you were there by yourself. No doubt you were then very active galloping about the country—a great deal of unnecessary riding about.....
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