Royal Commission report day 49 page 16

full text

see introduction to day 49

Sup John Sadleir giving evidence

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.

16834 This question of the armour-you are not clear whether it was or was not spoken of?— I do not see how it could have been avoided.

16835 Did it take Mr. Nicolson as long to make the statement as it does now?— Mr. Nicolson was not interrupted. He went straight on to the end, until Mr. Hare spoke. Mr. Nicolson is not a rapid speaker.

16836 They could not say a great deal in twenty minutes?— I cannot get away from the fact that when we were all present, Mr. Nicolson appealed to me, more than once, as to whether it was possible to give further information, and I could suggest nothing further. I know I was aware of everything that was going on.

16837 The question is simply this: that Mr. Hare has complained that Mr. Nicolson did not give him all the information that he ought to have done at the time?— He complained that he gave him none.

16838 When Mr. Nicolson relieved Mr. Hare before (in July 1880), were you present?— No.

16839 Have you any idea whether there was any jealousy between the superior officers of police?— That is a very general question.

16840 I mean between any of the superintendents in the police force?— Between the superintendents, I know of no ill-feeling, no unworthy feeling of any sort or description, as between superintendent and other officers.

16841 Did it not come before you at any time, such a feeling?— No, certainly not. We choose, as we do outside, our particular friends. Some in the service I may be more friendly with than others, but we are so scattered that we hardly know each other. I know of no ill-feeling between officers in the service, until between Captain Standish and Mr. Nicolson this business began.

16842 There has been a statement made here by Mr. Winch, that Mr. Hare was unfairly favored by Captain Standish-was that the general feeling among the officers of the police?— No, it never was a feeling of mine.

16843 Did you hear of it?— I think I heard of it, more latterly than before.

16844 I mean before this inquiry, was it current conversation among the men and officers?— No, I hardly think it perhaps it used to be said that Mr. Hare had a comfortable district, but that did not amount to jealousy. I was conscious of no feeling to hinder the execution of the officers' duty in any way.

16845 During the time that Mr. Hare was with you in the North-Eastern district, did he conduct himself in any other way than an ordinary officer who had not been specially favored?— He was not in the least overbearing, and if he had favors from Captain Standish he never showed it in that way—he never exercised any improper authority over me, or attempted to. I never saw any assumption of any authority on his part.

16846 Apparently if he had been favored by his superior officer he never displayed it in the conduct of his business as police officer?— No, I cannot say he did. I was going to explain the difficulty I felt in giving my evidence about this interview between Messrs. Hare and Nicolson. I have been asked in the first place as to detailed matters and papers to give minutes and duration of time for the interview. Those are things that are non-essential, but I wish to put myself perfectly clear before the Commission, I do not care who is right or wrong-the impression I went away with from that interview was that Mr. Hare had all the information he desired, and if there was anything hidden from him it was entirely without the intention of Mr. Nicolson, and if there was anything hidden it escaped my notice. It was a short interview, shortened by Mr. Hare's interjection, as I have stated. ....

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