... one of the things of the KellyGang story
Things
Sir James McCullock was the Chief Secretary at the time of Harry Power's arrest. See also (RC16238)
In mid 1872 Mr Duffy was the Chief Secretary. He got involved in a dispute between newspaper men. (Argus11/6/72)
Mr Berry was the Chief
Secretary at the time of the Murders at Stringy Bark Creek in the Wombat Ranges
and Ned Kelly's execution
Sir Bryan O'Loghlen, was the Acting Chief Secretary in mid 1879.
Mr Ramsay was Chief Secretary in 1880 at the time when Nicolson left North Eastern Victoria
Most of these men went on to become Prime Minister of Victoria
Mr Berry ordered Standish up to take chage of the hunt for the KellyGang. Com Standish wanted to return some time before he did leave, and Sir Bryan O'Loghlen advised him to remain. (RC1342)
I ordered the increase in the amount of the reward. (Argus14/12/78)
On 14/12/78 Ass Com Nicolson had a long interview with Mr Berry. (Argus16/12/78) (SMH19/12/78)
Sir Bryan O'Loghlen, was the Acting Chief Secretary in mid 1879.
Com Standish came down
from Benalla during the hunt for the KellyGang and
spent time in Melbourne.
Ass Com Nicolson
reported to Sir Bryan while he was running the office in Melbourne but all
KellyGang matters were reported directly
to Sir Bryan by Standish. (RC607) (RC700)
Standish went to down to Melbourne several times, but never stayed long. As he told Insp O'Connor he was always hunted out of Melbourne by Sir Bryan O'Loghlen and sent back to the Kelly country. (RC1105)
Standish wanted to get back to police headquarters in Melbourne and on 26/6/1879 he eventually managed to convince the Chief Secretary (RC52)
Chief Secretary, who was not unnaturally dissatisfied at the continuous heavy expenditure of the police in pursuit of the KellyGang. According to Standish most of the increase was the new travelling for the police officers hunting the KellyGang. (RC57) (RC15981)
In late April 1880 Standish went to see Mr Ramsay, the Chief Secretary about Nicolson and soon after the Cabinet agreed to remove Nicolson. Standish told him of the decision and demanded an interview with Mr Ramsay. The Chief Secretary would only see him in my presence. The meeting took place in Melbourne on 26/4/1880. Nicolson tried to get past Mr Odgers, the Under Secretary, and Standish, but eventually a proper meeting was held with Mr Ramsay. In the end Mr. Ramsay agreed that Nicolson be allowed to remain there another month only. (RC71) (RC927) (RC16308)(see also RC 2nd report XIII)
On 19/5/1880 Nicolson wrote to Com Standish about his recent meeting with Hon Ramsay, the Chief Secretary, see text (RC915)
Another meeting was held 21/5/1880 between Ass Com Nicolson and Mr Ramsay (RC940)
The Government Needs to do something
The Chief Secretary, Mr Ramsay, held several interviews with Captain Standish,
the chief commissioner. Mr Ramsay pointed out the length of time that had
elapsed since the first outbreak had occurred, and intimated that unless a
more effectual search for the outlaws took place it would be his duty to see
that there was an immediate reorganisation of the police force. Various changes
were made and movements adopted which were confidentially communicated to
the press, but which it was not thought advisable in the interests of justice
to make public. Among other recommendations that were adopted was the determination
to withdraw the reward offered for information unless the Kellys were captured
within a certain time, and there is no doubt that from what has since transpired
this resolution has operated with good effect. When Superintendent Hare
went to take charge of the Beechworth district he received orders from Mr
Ramsay that the departmental routine must be set aside altogether, and that
he was at liberty to pick his men and to make whatever arrangements he thought
proper without interference from Melbourne, and that his expences were not
to be questioned by the department. In this way a great amount of enery has
been latterly thrown into the search, and gradually the gaang became aware
that they were closely followed. (Argus29/6/80
)
Standish believed that the decision to remove Nicolson was a Government decision and that he had nothing to do with it. (RC15775)
I attended the opening of the memorial for the murdered police at Mansfield (Argus 27/4/80)
Chomley had been sent to Queensland to recruit trackers (Argus29/6/80)
The Chief Secretary was involved in arranging the response to the death of
Aaron Sherritt. And Ramsay was keen to give comments to the press about the
capture of the KellyGang. (Argus29/6/80)
(Argus8/7/80) (Argus29/6/80) (JJK)
See the relevant telegrams (Argus12/12/1931)
He also recommended the use of a cannon, that the site at Glenrowan be lit
by electricity, and that Dr Ryan
be sent up. (Age29/6/80)
(Argus29/6/80) (FH)
(CHC)
After Sup Hare was shot another special train was requested for the morning of the siege. (RC16250)
Letters were written to the Queensland government to thank them for the trackers. (Argus29/6/80)
Praise for Mr Ramsay (Argus30/6/80)
Mr Ramsay saw Mr Curnow in Melbourne soon after the siege. (Age1/7/80)
On 2/7/1880 the Chief Secretary Mr Ramsay and his Under Secretary Mr Odgers went to see Ned Kelly in the Melbourne Gaol. (Argus3/7/80)
I had a view as to whether Ned Kelly could recieve visitors in gaol during his committal (Argus7/8/80) (Argus9/8/80) (Argus10/8/80) (Argus12/8/80)
I exchanged telegrams with Mr Gaunson (SMH10/8/80)
The Executive Council reviewed the decision to execute Ned Kelly (Argus2/11/80)
Berry announced that there would be a Royal Commission (Argus26/11/80)
The Chief Secretary's role in the forming of the report of the Commission (Argus22/2/82)
Mr Ramsay came to defence the reputation of Sup Hare (Argus8/12/80)
The Royal Commission report was tabled in Parliament. (Argus16/11/81)
Ass Com Nicolson, Supts Hare and Sadleir , Det Ward and Const Armstrong gave me their response to the Royal Commission. (Argus7/11/81) (Argus16/12/81)
Mr Grant the Chief Secretary (Argus23/2/82)
Mr Gaunson corresponded with the Chief Secretary about Supt Winch's case (Argus11/11/82)
The Chief Secretary agreed with the recommendation of the Royal Commission and called upon Inspector Larner to retire. (Argus18/12/82) See also Supt Winch - cases heard at same time
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17-aug-11
It would be great to know more about the Chief Secretary in the late 1870s; can you please help
Find the hiding places and sites where the KellyGang found fame and fortune and where their friends indulged in horse stealing and tried to make a life against the challenges of the squatters and banks. Let the KellyGang show you the places where they found safety from the law in the bush.