The Argus at KellyGang 16/3/1881
At a preliminary meeting of the Police Commission held at the Treasury yesterday, Mr Longmore, MLA, in the chair, Mr Graves, MLA, called attention to remarks made in certain newspapers animadverting on his appointment as a member of the commission, lie declared that he had said nothing in- side or outside Parliament that he was ashamed of, or that, in his opinion, disqualified him from assisting in the inquiry, and he could only regard the comments in question as attempte to drive him from the commission. At the same time he had no desire to act if his brother members thought his presence and co-operation likely to prove injurious to the public interest or depreciate the value of the commission's report.
As to the question of delicacy in taking a seat on the commission after having made certain statements respecting the police and the Kelly gang, he contended he had said nothing but what had appeared in the morning papers, and what he believed would be proved during the inquiry. He concluded by asking permission to withdraw while the commission considered the matter. The chairman, however, requested Mr Graves to remain, as his fellow-members thought that from his long knowledge of the district his assistance would be of the greatest value in conducting the inquiry. Each member had a public duty to perform, and ought not to be deterred from doing it by anything that appeared in the press. A resolution was passed that the evidence should be taken on oath. Notice of motion that the press be admitted was given. Memorials to the Government presented by Captain Standish, Mr Nicolson, and Mr O'Connor, and the report of Superintendent Hare on the Glenrowan tragedy, were placed before the commission and ordered to be printed. Instructions were given to the secretary to summon Mr Nicolson, Mr Hare, and Mr O'Connor to attend a meeting of the commission to be held at 11 o'clock next Friday at the Treasury.
The board appointed to distribute Kelly reward fund has been busily engaged for some time past. At its meeting yesterday the various claims sent in were at last classified. It is found that practically the capture was not the result of any information communicated to the police, and that consequently the £8,000 will be distributable among the men concerned in the Glenrowan affray. The board has before it the scheme of distribution adopted by the Imperial army and navy in similar cases, and to some extent it will accept these principles.
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31-aug-10
