Royal Commission report day 47 page 18
The Royal Commission evidence for 31/8/1881
(see also introduction to day 47)
F. C. Standish giving evidence
16281 When were you appointed Chief Commissioner of Police?— In September 1858.
16282 Were Mr. Nicolson and Mr. Hare then officers in the police force?— Mr. Hare was the junior officer at Maryborough and Mr. Nicolson was the superintendent of the detective force.
16283 That was your first official acquaintance with them?— Yes.
16284 When were you first brought into official contact personally with Mr. Nicolson?— Shortly after I joined the force.
16285 When first with Mr Hare—I mean when you made his acquaintance?— I made his acquaintance when I visited the district four or five months after I joined, when he was stationed near Maryborough, a new goldfield named Talbot.
16286 For a long time you had confidence in Mr. Nicolson?— I had, but not latterly.
16287 When did, your feelings towards Mr. Nicolson commence to change?— I always entertained the most kindly feelings, though I only met him on duty.
16288 I did not mean that about kindly feelings, but you considered some officers more efficient than others; when did you first lose your confidence in Mr. Nicolson's efficiency?— After he had been a few months at Benalla after the Kelly gang.
16289 Up to that time you had thorough confidence in him, and after that you ceased to have the same confidence in him—is that so?— Yes.
16290 You were first brought into official communication with Mr. Hare shortly after you joined?— Yes.
16291 What opinion did you form of Mr. Hare?— I have always entertained a very high opinion of Mr. Hare ever since I have known him.
16292 As to his efficiency as an officer, not as a private man?— Yes.
16293 It was in consequence of this very high opinion of Mr. Hare that you gave him opportunities of distinguishing himself?— Well, the only two occasions in which he went on special duty were the capture of Power and the Kelly business.
16294 You selected him for that because he was the fittest man?— The fittest and best man for the work.
16295 Then, in any opportunities which Mr. Hare had over other officers, you thought you were consulting not the interests of Mr. Hare but of the force?— The interests of the public service.
16296 In selecting Mr. Hare to form a party for the capture of Power, and in sending him up to Benalla, you merely had the interest of the public service at heart and no other object?— Yes.
16297 You mentioned to-day that you had a conversation with Mr. Berry, then Chief Secretary, just prior to your going to Benalla, and you then said you did not suppose the Kellys would be got very soon?— Yes.
16298 Might I ask what grounds you had for coming to that conclusion?—Knowing the state of the district—knowing they had heaps and heaps of confederates and allies—I merely told Mr. Berry, “I deem it my duty to point out to you I do not think we shall get them for many months.”
16299 During the last twenty years you have taken a very lively interest in what has taken place in regard to bushranging in the other colonies. Can you give the time the bushrangers of the other colonies eluded-the police?— Sometimes two or three years.
16300 When did the number of stations in the North-Eastern district commence to be reduced?— Not very long after Mr. Nicolson returned there.
16301 I am not speaking of the Kelly outrages, but as to the number of stations being reduced before that—when did that take place?— Some four or five years ago.
16302 Can you give the Commission the reason why those reductions were made?— The persons in charge of the district thought some of the stations unnecessary.
16303 You say that was done on the advice of the officer in charge of the district?— Yes.
16304 That was not your suggestion?— No.
16305 Then the reduction in the number of stations in the district was done at the suggestion of the officers in charge of the district?— Yes, on their opinion.
16306 It was objected to by Mr. Nicolson?— Yes.
16307 Then, when the reduction in the North-Eastern district was made, it was done on the advice of the officer in charge, but against the advice of Mr. Nicolson?— Yes.
16308 You have read the evidence of the Honorable Robert Ramsay before the Police Reward Board?— No, I did not. [ The same was handed to the witness]
16309 Will you kindly read that?—[ The witness did so.]
16310 Mr. Ramsay says that it was he who insisted on Mr. Hare going up to the North-Eastern district on the second occasion during the Service Ministry, a month or two before the capture of the outlaws, and that Mr. Hare was not at all anxious to go?— It is perfectly correct. I have stated that before.
16311 That fairly represents the state of affairs?— Yes.
The witness withdrew.....
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