Royal Commission report day 25 page 20

From KellyGang
Jump to: navigation, search

Story of the KellyGang - the Royal Commission Report

previous page / next page

The Royal Commission evidence for 2/6/1881

(full text transcription)

(see also introduction to day 25)

[[../../people/peC/chomleyPsup.html|Sup Hussey Malone Chomle]] [[../../people/peC/chomleyPsup.html|y]] giving evidence

9957 There is a list sent by Colonel Anderson of the arms served out to the police; I see 160 Martini Henry rifles, and 6 Martini Henry carbines, and 26 Westley-Richards carbines, a Snider rifle, and a Soper Henry carbine; would it not be quite easy to return those weapons without much difficulty; could you collect them and send them back, and apply for weapons of the one class, the Martini Henry?— Yes.

9958 The Chief Secretary sent down a document here, requesting the opinion of the Commission relative to the mounting of men in this country—experience, and so on—have you prepared that?— I have sent in a statement here.

9959 A petition has come in, making certain statements as to the expenditure, and making suggestions as to the more efficient mounting of the Victorian police—the case is submitted to the Commission?— Yes.

9960 The expense appears in this considerably less here than in the adjoining colonies?— So I believe. I had better put this in—[producing a return],

9961 I want to know how you authenticate it?— There is a letter from Sydney ; there is a letter from Adelaide ; and another from Brisbane —[handing in the same] They are chiefly based on extracts from the different colonies.

9962 What is the cost per horse in the colony?— The total cost of the last twelve years has been £1,400 a year.

9963 How much is that per horse?— The average price per horse is £19 18 3d. The cost in South Australia was £30 10 per horse, in New South Wales from £17 to £18, in Queensland , £12 to £14. Now the cost per man per horse for the year for Victoria is £4 48. Qld, for New South Wales , £5 8s., South Australia , £9 7s. 6d.; Queensland , £15 7s. 8d. The vote, as I told you before, for purchasing horses in Victoria is £1,416 a year for 337 men, exclusive of officers' and cart horses; the cost in South Australia is £1,500 a year; with 160 men. As far as I can make out, there are included in the number of mounted, two saddlers who are not mounted. The cost in New South Wales is £2,700 a year for 500 men that is what is stated in the report. The cost in Queensland is £4,000 a year for 100 white troopers and 160 black troopers—that is 260 altogether.

9964 This matter having been brought before you, do you suggest to the Commission that any alteration can be beneficially made in the mounting of police?— No, judging by these returns; we do it cheaply, and our horses will compare well with theirs. From what I am told, I do not think it can be more efficiently done.

9965 Provided the men are properly armed?— Provided the men are properly armed.

9966 And the horses trained?— You see if that practice is carried on in the districts that trains the horses.

9967 Do you authorize training horses to jump?— We never have done.

9968 Would it not be well to authorize that in the North Eastern district at any rate?— Yes, and to teach the men to be able to ride them.

9969 If the outlaws are mounted on good horses that take a fence anywhere, is not that an enormous advantage over the police horses?— Yes, of course it is— [The witness handed in the return quoted from above relating to expenditure for police horses, etc. —Vide Appendix 8 .]

9970 We have it in evidence from a very reliable witness, that the best method of preventing an outbreak is to put active young men to ride about the district, and get well acquainted with the faces and appearance of all the people?— No doubt of it.

9971 We have it in evidence also that the secret system of getting information completely broke down; that is to say, that in the witness's opinion the information that was given was false, or colored, in a multitude of instances—do you think that would be a better system to secure the quiet of the district ?— There ought certainly to be something of the sort. Of course the secret system is a good thing, but you ought not to be obliged to depend on it. The secret system is pursued in Melbourne the same as up there, and with advantage, but you cannot depend on it altogether.

9972 You are peculiarly liable to be deceived if you no not know the people?— Yes.

9973 You have been many years in the police force?— I joined on the 21st September 1852

9974 In your report to the Chief Secretary you first recommended that Inspector Montfort should be appointed; if that had been done and Mr. O'Connor appointed, in what relation would the latter be to the other members of the police force in that district?— That was not decided upon. I am not in a position to say what; he would have been the only officer there with Inspector Montfort; if he went up there Inspector Baber would have been relieved.....

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