The Argus at KellyGang 1/6/1881
The disposal of the Kelly reward fund was mentioned in the Assembly yesterday. Mr Berry intimated that the board which made the recommendations has virtually tendered its resignation and Mr Murray Smith explained that this had been done not in pique but because it was useless for gentlemen to devote themselves to work if they were to be set aside afterwards. Mr Smith added that it was almost impossible to deal with the conflicting claims made so as satisfy everybody. No action, it seems has been taken by the Government in the way of arriving at a decision. Pressure of business has compelled the Chief Secretary to set the matter aside. He proposes however on an early day to communicate with the Government of New South Wales on the subject.
THE KELLY REWARD FUND
In Parliament
Mr KERFERD asked the Chief Secretary what steps he intended to take with regard to the distribution of the Kelly Reward Fund?
Mr HUNT hoped that the Chief Secretary would, at the same time, state what was to be done for Constable M'Intyre, whose evidence mainly led to the conviction of Kelly.
Mr GRAVES remarked that M'Intyre was under full pay as a member of the police force.
Mr HUNT – He is in bad health, and has been told he must leave.
Mr BERRY said that the plan of distribution recommended by the board was no more satisfactory to the Government than it appeared to be to the general public. He had received a communication from the board equivalent to tendering their resignation, and it appeared probable that the whole matter would have to be inquired into de novo. He had been precluded by the pressure of public business from dealing with the case as promptly as it ought to have been dealt with. Of course he would have to communicate with the Government of New South Wales before taking fresh action. He had been in hope that the report of the police commission, which was investigating a cognate subject, would have been forthcoming in time to afford some assistance in the distribution of the awards. He would take the earliest opportunity of devoting his attention to the question. With regard to Constable M'Intyre, who was in delicate health, he was absent on leave receiving full pay.
Mr MURRAY SMITH, as one of the board appointed to recommend a plan of distribution, hoped it would not be supposed that the members resigned owing to any feeling of pique. They felt no sentiment of annoyance on account of the Chief Secretary differing from them on what was, after all, a matter of opinion. The question whether any particular man should receive a greater or less sum was not one which could be determined by evidence. The board felt that it was useless to go to a lot of trouble, and put the country to considerable expense in examining witnesses when their decision was liable at any moment to be set at naught. He did not seek the position, but was asked to act, and agreed with considerable reluctance. The questions the board had to determine were difficult. If the Chief Secretary wished them to undertake the duty again, he should be very glad to comply with the request, on the other hand, if the hon. gentleman appointed a fresh board, he should not com plain.
Mr JAMES – If it had not been for Mr Curnow there would have been no cap ture.
Mr LONGMORE, as chairman of the Police Commission, wished to remark that the Commission had not been sitting three days before they found most violent differences existing amongst the officers The Reward Distribution Board had not sufficient evidence before them to enable them to distribute the fund properly.
Mr MURRAY SMITH –That is a most gratuitous statement.
Mr LONGMORE – It is my opinion.
The SPEAKER pointed out that the discussion was irregular.
The subject then dropped.
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31-aug-10
