Royal Commission report day 50 page 18
Story of the KellyGang - the Royal Commission Report
The Royal Commission evidence for 7/9/1881
(see also introduction to day 50)
[[../../people/peN_P/nicolsonPAC.html|Ass Com Charles Hope Nicolson]] giving evidence
There is another affidavit I wish to put in, which is as follows:- “I, Edward Gorman, of Geelong, fruiterer, make oath and say: In or about the end of the year One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five I was a sergeant in the Victorian police force, and was stationed at Ballarat. I was transferred to Ararat. I did no duty there, as my eyes failed, and I had to go into the hospital at Richmond depot. While in the hospital I wrote an application to the Chief Commissioner requesting that I might not be sent to any station where horses were kept, as I knew nothing about horses or the system of keeping forage accounts, and stating that I was quite willing to go to any station where there were only foot police. No notice was taken of my application, and I was sent to Stawell, the head-quarters station of the Wimmera district. I remained there five months, and, finding that I was not equal to keeping the accounts and writing that was necessary, I applied to be transferred, and was transferred to Russell street, in this city. I was then sent to Geelong , where I remained until I resigned from the force in November last. All these changes were a source of considerable expense and loss to me. – EDWARD GORMAN . Sworn at Melbourne , in the colony of Victoria , this sixth day of September, One thousand eight hundred and eighty-one, before me — Frank Madden, a Commissioner of the Supreme Court of the colony of Victoria for taking affidavits.” The object of my bringing this in is this. I knew this man Gorman when he first joined the force in 1856, and I knew him then as a very fine, smart, active constable. I lost sight of him for a great many years. I met him one day in Collins street, and he told me that he was about to be sent to Ararat or Stawell, I forget which, but both very important districts, with a large establishment of mounted men, and he thought it would be his ruin, as be had only been accustomed to foot duty and foot men, and could not manage horses. I went to the Chief Commissioner, and spoke to him about the matter. I found Mr. Hare in his office, and I said, “I see that Sergeant Gorman is about to be sent, he tells me, up-country to Ararat or Stawell. From my own knowledge-I am not speaking on behalf of this man-but, from my own knowledge of him, he is quite unfit to be sent up there to any of those places; he has not got the education and experience sufficient for the duty, and I would strongly suggest that you send him to some other more suitable station, but not send him there.” The Chief Commissioner decided he would send him there —I have nothing to say against that-but, in the course of my speaking, Mr. Hare joined in and opposed me; and Captain Standish also got red in the face, and treated me as if I was interfering with him. My tone was simply a business-like tone, and I was simply doing my duty; and it looked as if he was showing Mr. Hare how he could snub the Inspecting Superintendent, as much as to say he would show how he would make me mind my own business, and I left the room, determined I would never speak about such a thing again, and that was the indifference I complained of having received from the Chief Commissioner, and, to a certain extent, from Mr. Hare too. It was merely for the public interest I spoke. Gorman was sent and had to be returned to Melbourne . but not after considerable expense to himself and the Government had been incurred.
16908 By Mr. Hare . –You asked me in my cross-examination whether I kept a sentry upon Aaron Sherritt's hut?— Yes, I believe I did.
16909 Was a sentry kept over your cave party?— I gave orders to that effect.
16910 Was a sentry kept?— I believe so.
16911 How long was the cave party there?— From the 2nd of December until the beginning of April.
16912 About five months?— Yes.
16913 Did you, during the time that you had your cave party there, ever visit them?— No, I allowed no one to visit it, and I did not visit it myself for fear of exposure of any kind.
16914 Could not you have gone of a dark night to visit it?— Yes, I might have done so.
16915 You did not do so?— In the dark I would have found them away from the place.
16916 In the dusk of the evening you would not have found them away?— I might not.
16917 Had you ever visited that spot where you kept your cave party for five months until you went with Mr. Graves and Mr. Anderson-hand you ever seen it before that day?— No, I had been there, but had not seen it—not exactly to the cave until that day. I knew the station from my being in the locality and from the description of the place. I had been all about those ranges.
16918 How often were you round them?— Two or three times.
16919 You went at the time of the Sebastopol charge?— And other times too.
16920 Have you ever been since?— Yes.
16921 Have you ever been to old Sherritt's house except that once?— No, I have not been to old Sherritt's house.
16922 Whose house did you visit when you were out in those ranges?— I did not visit any house. I used to keep my arrival at Beechworth and my departure unknown to anybody if possible.
16923 When did you go to those ranges?— With Mullane and Ward.
16924 How often – when was it?— It was previous to the cave party.
16925 You heard Mullane in his evidence say (question 13547) “I did not know of it,” in answer to the question whether there was a sentry kept?— Yes. I take it that he did not remember it, but I know perfectly that orders were given that a sentry was to be kept.
16926 You do not know whether it was or not?— I was led to understand it was.
16927 Mullane was present during the time you issued your instructions to the men?— Yes.
16928 For two hours you were in the office?— Yes.....
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