Royal Commission report day 48 page 19
The Royal Commission evidence for 1/9/1881
(see also introduction to day 48)
'Sup Francis Augustus Hare giving evidence'
16618 When I told you I was going to recommend their discharge, why did not you warn them?— I had no right to do so. It would be a most outrageous breach of confidence for me to tell them you were going to discharge them.
16619 I told you openly?— You said to me you had recommended Mr. Berry to discharge them, and I said “all right,” and waited for my orders.
16620 With reference to the accounts that I handed in, and which are printed in the accounts of expenditure, you stated that the cause of the excess in your accounts over mine was owing to expenses incurred in my time being paid afterwards in yours?— Yes.
16621 Have you made enquiry to find that was correct?— Yes, the reason was that it was not decided when you left what travelling allowance was to be given to the men, and Captain Standish decided that after he went up there. Mr. Sadleir, Captain Standish, and myself discussed what would be a fair thing, and we said we would give a fair amount—five shillings—as the work was arduous.
16622 Are you not aware that one of the items of that account is for services rendered, the dates of the services rendered, not the dates of the payment?— I was not aware of it.
16623 Why did not you make yourself aware before denying the accuracy of those accounts?— I do not deny anything.
16624 The account of expenditure which is wanted here is made out, not for the date of payments, but for the services rendered?— I was not responsible for any expenditure there—you were—I was not except on the second occasion.
16625 You hired Mr. MacBain's paddock?— Yes.
16626 Are you aware that soon after I came there I dispensed with it?— I was not aware of that
16627 You spoke of allowing the outlaws to attack a bank?— Yes, I would have given anything if they would have attacked a bank, because that would Lave been the best chance of catching them.
16628 Do you think, as an officer of police, you were justified in using the public or private residence belonging to citizens as a trap for desperate characters such as the Kellys?— I never did it. I said I would have been glad if they would have come out and attacked a bank, as the banks were well protected.
16629 By the Commission— What protection had the banks?— There were always two or three constables and bankers on the alert, and every attempt was made to keep them up to the mark, to shoot the Kellys if they came.
16680 By Mr. Nicolson— Was there no risk of shedding blood?— No doubt there is always.
16631 You stated this as one of your plans?— I always looked upon a bank as a trap to catch the Kellys. I do not say I made it a trap. It was by our taking proper precautions in case of that.
16632 Do you think that a proper principle for a police officer to act upon?— Undoubtedly. I often said to the bankers, “I wish they would stick you up, and we would know where they are.”
16633 Are you not aware that Constable Falconer wrote to some constable about the cave party and about the Depot?— No, I never heard of it.
16634 Did you not hear he had written to a young horse-breaker named Lawless?— No, I never heard it, nor did Lawless ever tell me.
16635 Why was Falconer recommended by you. Iauded by you, to the neglect of Canny, who was his guide?— Because Canny was in the capture. It was not for promotion; it was for a portion of the reward. I never did recommend him for promotion, and never would at present.
16636 Do you say the Sherritt family were about seven or eight?— Yes, I think so; perhaps five or six.
16637 You reduce it now to five or six; you said seven or eight?— Yes; I say they must have known it.
16638 But I am speaking of seven or eight?— Five or six I think was what I said.
16639 Did not Mr. Sadleir request you to send warning to the police at Sherritt's hut, on the receipt of John Sherritt's letter?— No; I do not remember anything of the kind.
16640 By the Commission— About the agents—I would like to ask if Mr. Nicolson told you before he went away that he had agents?— Yes; he showed me their accounts.
16641 You know how many he had?— Yes.
16642 Did you know their addresses?— Yes.....
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