Royal Commission report day 50 page 23
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
17041 How was it done?— Perhaps I am leading the Commission to think I had it done, but it was really done without my knowledge in the first instance.
17042 By whom?— I know perfectly well.
17043 Tell the Commission how?— I have no objection, if the Commission wish it.
17044 By the Commission. –It is just as well?— My father-in-law, the late Hon. John Thomas Smith, had received some applications from Mr. Hare and Mr. Winch to help them in getting this £100 a year each; so it was remarked by some of his family that he was always ready to help other people, but he never helped any of his own family, which was the case. As for myself, I had never asked for it, and never had his influence, or asked that he should do that for me. So he was rather annoyed about the matter; and one of his sons went to him one day, and suggested to him that I was in a very unpleasant position with the Chief Commissioner of Police and with another officer at least, or something of the kind, some unpleasantness going on about the endeavor to raise two officers up to the same level as myself and to keep me down, and he was requested to get that done, which was not asking any favor of the Government.
17045 By Mr. Hare . –What did Mr. Smith do?— I do not know.
17046 Mr. Smith could not have given it?— No; I presume he applied to the Government. I know nothing about what he did.
17047 At all events, without any application from yourself, you were made Assistant Commissioner?— Yes.
17048 And without any consultation with Captain Standish, or recommendation going through Captain Standish?— I do not know about that. I do not know that he did.
17049 You do not think so?— No.
17050 When you were made the Acting Chief Commissioner you received another £150 a year?— Yes; it is on the Estimates £150 a year to the Acting Chief Commissioner. So long as I was Acting Chief Commissioner I was entitled to that.
17051 That brought your salary to the rate of £650 a year?— Yes.
17052 You commenced at 8s. a day in 1852, and you got up to, in 1881, £650 a year?— I am very proud to say I have.
17053 You know what my salary was when I joined the force —£300 a year?— Yes.
17054 That was in 1854, and you know what I am getting now — £375, first-class Superintendent?— Yes, and in the depot you are getting £375, and house and gas.
17055 And so did you?— No, I paid for my gas.
17056 And you got the allowances?— Yes, £2 a year, I think. I just cost the Government about nearly half what you do.
17057 You get £100 a year for house rent?— Yes.
17058 What do you get for fuel, light, and water?— I do not get £20 a year for that.
17059 Then I commenced in 1854 with £300 a year, and after 28 years' service I get £375, without the allowances I then had. You see I cannot have been much of a favorite officer, under these circumstances, as far as promotion is concerned—can I?— You have received your promotion. You were seventh on the list of second-class superintendents when Power was taken. You have been promoted over the heads of others.
17060 That was only in one case—over Nicolas; with that exception, have I?— You have tried very hard to get promotion over others.
17061 You asked me what information I gave you when you relieved me?— Yes.
17062 Did I not tell you that positively I had information that just a week or fortnight before I left, those outlaws were camping in Wilson 's paddock?— No; I have no recollection of your saying anything of the kind.
17063 Surely you remember that date?— Cannot you mention any one who was present?
17064 There was no one present but ourselves?— I can only say I had never heard, to my knowledge, of Wilson's paddock, until I heard of it some months after, in the course of conversation, I think through Mr. Sadleir.
17065 Did not I tell you about the “Diseased Stock” man?— No, I will explain. You know his real name?
17066 Yes?— When I was up there before I heard of this man by his real name, as a person who could if he wanted give very good information; but as a man who could not be approached, who would not allow any of the police to speak to him on the subject. When I came up and relieved Mr. Hare, I believe there was some conversation and his real name mentioned in passing, and there was no information obtained from him; but, as to Mr. Hare introducing him to me, or telling me about his usefulness, that is absurd. I was introduced to him first by Sergeant Whelan through Mr. Sadleir , months after I arrived in the district.....
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