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THE POLICE AND THE KELLY GANG

The following letter has been addressed by Mr Graves, MLA, as representative of Delatite, to the Chief Secretary:―
“November 20, 1880.
“The Hon Graham Berry, Premier of Victoria.

“Dear Sir.―As the representative of the people of the county of Delatite, I have repeatedly , during the last two years, pointed out to you the disgrace and obloquy attached to my district and the country at large, by the delay, failure, and great waste of public money (said to have been over £50,000), taking place consequent on the lamentable futile and incapable conduct of your police department, either to bring to justice or to prevent the outrages of a gang of four outlaws, who robbed banks in open daylight, murdered at different times innocent people, and committed other serious offences with impunity for nearly two years in the face of the police force (I might say in their presence).  I have vainly asked inquiry into, or amendment of, the police administration in these respects.  Other representatives of the people have also ineffectually asked an investigation into these matters, with the view of ascertaining where the misconduct existed. 

The outrages mainly took place during your Administration.  However, after the long delay and vast public expenditure above stated, during the temporary administration of your successors the perpetrators of these terrible offences were made amenable to justice.  I now desire to point out that the reasons given by your Administration for non-inquiry cannot now with truth exist, and I ask, on behalf of the people of Delatite, a prompt inquiry into the causes of the delay, failure, and expenditure incurred by the police department in these cases, for either the disgrace, misconduct, obloquy, or neglect of duty rests upon my brother magistrates and residents of these districts, or upon the police department now, as then, under your administration; or upon one or more of either.  I can scarcely credit that you really still desire to prevent inquiry, but decide that the disgrace of past misconduct shall attach to my people, without a fair trial, upon whose belief I have asked common justice in this respect, and allege that there has been gross incapacity, extravagance, and misconduct, for which they are in no way responsible.
“Your obedient servant,
(Signed)           “James H Graves.”  

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