Royal Commission report day 52 page 5

From KellyGang
Jump to: navigation, search

previous page / next page

The Royal Commission evidence for 9/9/1881

(full text transcription)

(see also introduction to day 52)

[[../../people/peB/brookeSmithPinsp.html|Insp Brooke Smith]] giving evidence

17533 If you had been so impressed that those four men were the outlaws, would you have been justified in going out with the men under your charge in pursuit, having those instructions before you?— I should have done so, I do not know whether I should have been justified.

17534 Then the instructions of Mr. Nicolson were not of such a character that you were not called upon to move in pursuit if you had reliable information?— I do not think so, I should have done so. Here is another communication from Mr. Nicolson:—“Wangaratta, Saturday, 11 p.m., 9 Nov. 1878. —Memo. — Inspector Smith and party will proceed tracking to-morrow no further than ‘Eleven Mile Creek,’ should the tracks lead in that direction. He may then go quietly to Greta to feed horses, &c., first sending here to me for further orders. –C. H. NICHOLSON, Inspctg. Supt. Look out by the way for the Government horses. –C. H. N

17535 Do you wish to make any other statement at all?— No. I could speak of the earlier search for the Kellys before they shot Fitzpatrick. I have all the papers here, but the enquiry is not turning on that point.

17536 After you finally returned with the search party with Johnson and others' where were you stationed after that?— I went back to Beechworth.

17537 Can you remember the date you left Wangaratta for Beechworth, about?— I should think it must be about the 12th November.

17538 Under whose instructions did you return to Beechworth?— Superintendent Sadleir's.

17539 Had you a written letter?— No, Mr. Sadleir's verbal instruction to go up and prosecute. I had lived in Beechworth till I left it on the 22nd of February 1880.

17540 What was your position in Beechworth when you resumed duty there?— Inspector of the district, not the officer in charge, but travelling inspector-the same as I am now.

17541 And then you were removed to Horsham?— Yes.

17542 And what are you there?— The inspector of the district.

17543 What sized district have you to inspect now?— I commence at a place called Murtoa. One journey alone is 70 miles, and another—Donald—is 100 miles, beyond Gnill; and I go right away to Bordertown. My head-quarters are at Horsham.

17544 How frequently do you visit your outlying districts?— A little while ago I used to do it monthly, but it was considered too short; and some places I go to once in two months, and two places once in three months, and other places once a month.

17545 Do you enter in a book your departure and arrival and duty?— Yes, and that is supplied to Mr. Nicholas at Stawell.

17546 A copy of that is kept in the department?— Yes.

17547 That is to say, taking January—say on the 5th January you leave Horsham, and it take you how long after you have inspected before you return?— About ten days.

17548 What do you do then?— I write my reports from the stations I visit generally, and, if not, when I return.

17549 Then the only thing that will be in existence afterwards will be the report?— Yes, and my entry in the occurrence-book of the station.

17550 Suppose it takes you ten days for the first visit, how long do you remain in Horsham before you visit again?— That depends. There may be some crime break out, and I have to go and enquire into.

17551 How long would you ordinarily remain in Horsham?— I would start again the following month.

17552 What duties would you be performing between the time of your return and starting again?— “General supervision” is what the regulations tell us on the station in which we reside, and in the town you have to wear your uniform and go about amongst the people and gain as much information as you can, without annoying people.

17553 How many visits would you have to take in the twelve months?— I have nine stations, and I visit six of them every month, and two of them every two months' and one every three months— Donald, which is going to be taken away.

17554 The Horsham district is looked upon as a quiet settled district?— It is very quiet, very little crime.

17555 Not a district like the North-Eastern?— Nothing like that. The North-Eastern is the hardest district I was ever in. Horsham is one of the quietest in the colony. ....

Previous page / Next page


 ! The text has been retyped from a microfiche copy of the original.

We have taken care to reproduce this document but areas of the original text may been damaged.

We also apologise for any typographical errors.

The previous day / next day . . . Royal Commission index RC_index.html