The Argus at KellyGang 24/3/1881 (4)
Standish giving evidence
[The witness here related circumstances in connexion with the capture of Ned Kelly and the death of the other outlaws at Glenrowan.] When I got to Glenrowan the whole thing was over. Instructed Mr Sadleir, whom I found in charge, not to hand over the charred remains of Dan Kelly and Steve Hart to their friends. It is possible he might have misunderstood me, as he allowed the friends to take away the remains. Mr Curnow undoubtedly saved the lives of the police, and put us on the track of the Kellys. This concludes my statement, but I will answer any questions.
To the COMMISSION – I lost confidence in Mr Nicolson in the early part of last year. His neglect to warn the banks in his district helped to shake my faith in him. I wrote the letter of 6th July, 1880, asking for an inquiry, after Mr Service in a speech at Maldon had unjustifiably reflected on me. Mr Hare did not show a want of generalship, but Mr Nicolson did. Mr Sadleir was never at the head of affairs. Mr Nicolson's duty, as inspecting superintendent, was to visit country police stations and report on them. The officers next in rank to Mr Nicolson were Superintendent Winch and Mr Chomley. There are others, but I can t recollect them all.
Mr Hare's district is the Bourke district, adjoining the North-Eastern. Mr Sadleir is in charge of the latter, and has Sub-inspectors Baker and Pewtress under him. While I was at Benalla, the force always showed a laudable anxiety to capture the Kellys and a willingness to risk their lives. With regard to the police who were bailed up in Sherritt s house, they would have been shot had they come out. Had I been in charge at the Glenrowan affair, I should not have burnt Mrs Jones's house. The police had instructions, if they heard anything about the outlaws, to communicate with their superior officers, and in cases of urgency to take immediate action. Of course, one man ought not to have gone after them, but if there was a sufficient force they should have tried to capture the outlaws if a chance offered. Four men would have been a sufficient force. The search parties were at liberty to try to capture the Kellys a without first communicating with me.
Mr Nicolson was told he might examine the witness.
Witness (to Mr Nicolson) – I have related several matters which are not within my personal knowledge, but they are quite true. The outrages would never have happened if it had not been for the shooting of Fitzpatrick and the severe sentences passed on Mrs Kelly and some associates for that. I do not think the North-Eastern district laboured under the disadvantage of having the police officers changed with unusual frequency. You inspected the Beechworth district in 1878, but all your reports were mere twaddle. I don't recollect your protesting against the closing of the Glenmore police station, or your recommending a regular system of communication between the forces of New South Wales and Victoria with a view to suppress cattle stealing. Decline to state who gave information to the police in reference to the Baumgarten horse-stealing case. Am not aware that Mr Sadleir was ever so ill with rheumatic fever that he could not camp out. He was right when I went up and took charge. Immediately after the first outrage, we sent up to the district a lot of good men. Never complained to you that while you were in charge of my office the things had got into a muddle. Things had been allowed to stand over. You procrastinated fearfully. Some of the men you employed as spies on the Kellys when you were in the North-Eastern district used to laugh at you behind your back. With regard to your stopping a party about to search for the Kellys, on information given by — —, yon might have sent in a report on the subject. I don't recollect its purport.
The remainder of Mr Nicolson's examination was deferred.
Witness (to Mr O'Connor) – Remember communicating some information about the outlaws having been seen to Mr Hare, but not to you. Did not inform you, because with your numerous baggage waggons we should have been too much delayed.
Mr O'Connor. – From the outset you were jealous of my trackers finding the outlaws.
Witness. – That is absolutely untrue. Never said I would try to capture the Kellys without your valuable assistance.
The CHAIRMAN – It is getting late and we thought that, as the witness had cast reflections on Mr O'Connor, the latter might like to question him about them at the same sitting.
Mr O'Connor – I do not care a rap about what a man of his character has said. But I should like him to state what he alluded to.
Witness (to Mr O'Connor) – I said that things had come to my knowledge that shook my faith in you. You told several people you were engaged to a certain lady, and you told me you were to be married at a certain time, and you were married all the time.
Mr O'Connor – I give that the lie direct. Once when I was dining with Captain Standish he said I was making love to a young lady, and I said,” That is nonsense; it's only fun. Then I got a letter congratulating me on my engagement. I immediately wrote back, and said there was not a word of truth in it. This accusation, too, from a man of his (Captain Standish's) class.
Captain Standish requested leave to with- draw his statements reflecting on Mr O'Connor.
The CHAIRMAN observed that, as the statements had already been printed in the Herald, he did not see how the later remarks could be withdrawn.
The commission adjourned, at 20 minutes past 4 o'clock, p.m., until 11 o'clock this morning.
end
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31-aug-10
