Royal Commission report day 7 page 2

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The Royal Commission evidence for 1/4/1881

(full text transcription)

(see also introduction to day 7)

Francis Augustus Hare giving evidence

1374 It struck me that you, having this information that the outlaws were there, within, say, three-quarters of a mile?— Within five miles over in those mountains—a circuit of five miles. This man being in the centre, the sound would travel five miles round.

1375 But even then you would have them within a very limited distance?— No; if they were within twenty yards there you would not see them.

1376 You might not see them, but the information would be on your mind that the Kellys were within five miles' radius of that spot, or less?— Yes.

1377 Did it not strike you at the time that it would be expedient to reinforce your party as quickly as possible and surround the neighborhood, even with all its difficulties.?— I could not surround those mountains with 500 men. To put a cordon round that place, I could not do it with 500 men.

1378 Do I understand you to say it would be impossible?— It would have been impossible with the force at my disposal, or, in fact, any force you could have found. This house was situated in a place called the Bald Hills, and the sound would echo all round it. I have told you the terms on which I was with Mr. O'Connor, and now I wish to state also with reference to Captain Standish. Captain Standish placed an immense amount of confidence in me, and, I think, by so doing, caused a good deal of jealousy throughout the force. He used to consult me upon nearly all subjects that he wanted advice on, and we were always on the most friendly terms. I do not think I ever had a dispute or row with him in my life. The same with Mr. Nicolson. I never knew that there was any ill-feeling existing between us, and always thought that we were great friends. I know that our families were on most intimate terms; and it was not until I was ordered up to Benalla on the second occasion, to supersede Mr. Nicolson, that there was ever any ill-feeling I was aware of. He has never brought forward one case. He says I have thwarted him in his duty. I have no idea how I have done so, and was not aware of it until he told it here. He brought forward an instance, and he stated that this showed how I thwarted him, and he thought this was a most serious case. The fact is, I differed in opinion from him. He made a statement against a man, Constable Redding, in whom I had the utmost reliance, and my opinion was borne out by every officer under whom he served; and I, as the officer directly over the man, took this man's part, and stated what I knew of the man. Mr. Nicolson only once inspected my district since he has been Inspecting-Superintendent.

1379 How long is that ago—when was he appointed?— Some years ago.

1380 And he inspected your district once?— Yes; and it was on this occasion that he found fault with this man.

1381 That was the man at Donnybrook?— Yes, who was subsequently killed by a young horse falling with him. We tracked where the horse had stumbled on a stone, and the man was doubled up and broke his head.

1382 You think that circumstance was purely accidental?— Entirely. I wish to state another great difficulty we had to contend with—the want of young smart intelligent officers. We have plenty of officers in the force, but I think there is not one of them five years under my age. The junior officers are older than their seniors on the list—many of them; they have only been appointed these last four or five years. I myself, for instance —I do not think I should have been sent out on those parties, but I had a good knowledge of the country, and was a fair bushman, and there was no one to take my place. My experience of twenty-seven years was surely likely to be of more service than my being stuck in the bush, where perhaps a young officer would have done even better than I could do, because he was younger and had more dash in him; and I should have been left behind at head-quarters to assist and to arrange things there. I felt myself, when I was out, that I should not have been out—that my services should have been of more value inside. (JJK)

1383 Most of the officers at that time were men nearly as far advanced in age as yourself?— Yes; some older. There were some officers sent for to come up the country; Mr. Drought was one. He was sent for by Captain Standish, who wanted to divide the district in the Kelly country into certain sub-districts, and put an officer over each. Mr. Drought was one mentioned; Mr. Twohey was another. Mr. Drought came up, and I had some conversation with him, and he told me that he had never been on a horse in his life except once, and then he fell off; and I said particularly, “You will be no use here,” and he said, “No, no use whatever.” It was not his fault, it was his misfortune.

1384 I suppose you know that Mr. Pewtress, one of the best officers in the service, is the same way?— Well, Mr. Pewtress told me he was a very good horseman—when he was a boy—but I never saw him ride. As to another weak point mentioned by Mr. O'Connor, I agree with him—that our men did not know the country. I frequently put the question to Mr. Sadleir—we had only recently taken charge of the district—and I said, “How is it so few of your men can lead us through the bush?” and he said, “Those men who know the country were shot.” But there were other men who knew the roads, as O'Connor said, but they did not know short cuts' and we had to employ men for the purpose to take us through the bush.

1385 The officer you have mentioned, Mr. Drought—do you know how long he has been in the service?— I think before I was.

1386 I see he joined in 1852?— Yes, I did not remember the dates.....

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