Royal Commission report day 49 page 15

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Story of the KellyGang - the Royal Commission Report

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The Royal Commission evidence for 6/9/1881

(full text transcription)

(see introduction to day 49)

Sup John Sadleir giving evidence

16809 Do you think that Mr. Nicolson could have given me all the information that was necessary for one officer relieving another in twenty minutes, with what he had done during the time he had been there?— Well, as you had brought him down to this narrow point that he was to speak of only the latest information then, I think he could.

16810 If I said, “Tell me the last time you saw them,” was that telling him I did not wish any other information?— I should have dropped all introductory matter and have come to that.

16811 Do you mean to say that you could have given me, in twenty minutes, all the information as to what had occurred that I would require on taking charge of a business of that kind?— You must remember that also, while we were talking, there appeared to me that there was nothing I could suggest.

16812 That was with regard to the agents?— No, it was not; it was with regard to all the Kelly information, because as regards the agents I could not tell anything.

16813 Do you remember him saying anything about the watch party in Aaron Sherritt's house?— No, I do not think it was mentioned.

16814 Did you know it yourself?— No.

16815 You had never been to the ground?— No. I knew nothing at all about it.

16816 “Send Constable Armstrong back to his station.” Did you know the Beechworth station was to be reduced?— No, I was not aware he was to be sent away.

16817 Was anything said to me about that by Mr. Nicolson?— No.

16818 You did not know about that?— No.

16819 Mr. Nicolson said in his evidence, “I used to meet the agent known as ‘Diseased stock’ and I would take down the information he gave me in my pocket-book.” Had you access to his pocketbook?— Whenever I required information from it.

16820 But none of that information was left for me?— No, he took his pocket-book.

16821 Do you remember anything being said about the armour on that day that Mr. Nicolson handed over to me. You said that Mr. Nicolson was the only one that really believed in the armour?— I think that must have been talked of. It was in the paper he handed to you—the three “diseased stock” papers.

16822 Did he say anything about the papers?— I do not see how it could escape mention, but I could not be positive about it. Of course you know you and I talked of it afterwards.

16823 I know that. You know that some two or three days before Mr. O'Connor left with his blacks, was it not notified in the papers that he was going?— The papers took notice of it.

16824 And did they not write a leading article on the subject?— I could not say; I knew they noticed the departure.

16825 It was the Tuesday before they left?— Yes.

16826 And was it not stated in the papers that others were coming from Queensland ?— I could not tell you that. I know that Mr. O’Connor 's blacks were spoken of as going. You can find the papers.

16827 You say you do not think this young Sherritt suitable for the force?— I do not think any persons connected with criminals fit.

16828 Supposing you had been in the position that Mr. Nicolson was, would you have discharged him from the force?— I would have been very uncomfortable about men like that in the force.

16829 Would you have discharged them?— I think so.

16830 Would you have recommended them to Mr. Fosberry, to take them on in the New South Wales police, having discharged them here?— Not without telling all the circumstances.

16831 Would you recommend him to take them on?— I do not think I should.

16832 Or would you have given a recommendation to the Queensland force?— Not to the police force; not without explaining all the circumstances.

16833 By the Commission. –As a matter of fact, according to your statement, you had a very large district to attend to, and you were called upon at times to assist with information that came to your knowledge, so that you would not be in a position to give all the information which Mr. Nicolson would have been able to give to Mr. Hare?— I think there was nothing important that I would not know.....

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