The Argus at KellyGang 19/12/1881
Owing to the pressure of Parliamentary business, the Chief Secretary has been unable to devote attention to the report of the Police Commission. The recommendations made to the Government in the document affect either the position or status of no less than ten persons, four of whom are officers, viz. – Mr Nicolson, assistant commissioner; Superintendent Hare; Superintendent Sadleir; and Inspector Brook Smith. In Mr Nicolson's case it is proposed that he shall be allowed to retire with a pension, as though he had reached the age of 55 years. Superintendent Hare, it is suggested, should also be permitted to resign under similar circumstances, but that, in addition, he shall receive a yearly pension of £100, in consequence of the wound which he sustained at Glenrowan. In Mr Sadleir's case it is proposed that he shall be placed at the bottom of the list of superintendents, which means in reality that Superintendent Palmer, who is his junior, shall be gazetted above him. Mr Brook Smith, however, has a more serious disability attached to his case. It is proposed that he shall not only be called on to retire, but that he shall only receive £100 for a pension, which means depriving him of nearly one-half of the amount to which, in the course of two or three years, he would become entitled under the regulations of the service. In respect to the other persons whose conduct has been the subject of review, Wallace, the schoolmaster, is the only one whose case has been considered by the Government. He has been suspended, and it is understood that his suspension is only the preliminary step to his dismissal.
Nothing has been done with respect to Sergeant Steele, but the Government have received petitions from almost every township in the district numerously and influentially signed protesting against the harshness and injustice of the report of the commissioners, who suggested his reduction to the ranks. Detective Ward, who was condemned on the ground of having misled his superior officers during the pursuit of the Kellys, has not been interfered with, nor is he likely to be for the present, as he is looked upon as a useful member of the force for the particular line in which he was engaged.
As to the hut party, who have been charged with poltroonery on the night of Aaron Sherritt's murder the only one who protests against the finding of the commission is Constable Alexander, who is thought to have made out a very good case in his reply to the commissioners. Having regard to the importance of the issues involved in dealing with these several cases, it is only natural that the Government should be allowed time to deliberate before giving effect to recommendations that must materially affect the present state of the police force of the colony.
A special meeting of the Police Commission has been called for Wednesday next. The business, we understand, is to discuss what future action shall be taken in view of the recommendations contained in the second progress report not having been given effect to by the Government. As to the course to be adopted under the circumstances much diversity of opinion prevails amongst the members. While some are for instantly resigning and throwing upon the Government the responsibility of dealing with the questions involved, others contend that having regard to the serious and radical nature of the suggestions submitted, it would be puerile to adopt so extreme a course until the Chief Secretary had been allowed an opportunity of investigating the charges implied against certain officers and members of the force, and the replies of the latter thereto. It may be mentioned that acting under instructions, Mr Wilson, the undersecretary, has had the matter in hand for some time, and has made arrangements in his department to have the voluminous evidence taken before the com- mission carefully collated. It is proposed to apply the test of evidence not only to the allegations contained in the report of the commission, but to the replies sent in by the officers. Even with the utmost diligence a task of this difficult nature will require some weeks, but it is believed that it will be accomplished as soon as possible, so that after the Christmas holidays the Chief Secretary will be in a position to enter upon a consideration of the commissioners' recommendations.
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