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Introduction

Links to the KellyGang

Number of Officers and Police stationed in the North-Eastern district and the extra expenditure incurred during the period Captain Standish and Superintendent Hare were in charge, and for the seven months after Mr. Nicolson resumed command.

A number of other costs such the expenditure on the artillery are not included in these figures (RC2ndStoryXII) See details of this information such as the railways charges etc. (RC735) (FH)

Chief Secretary was 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)

Mr. Nicolson was subjected to a significant reduction on funds. He had not carte blanche for expenditure as Captain Standish had. He had no money placed to his credit. He paid the accounts and all other expenses out of his own pocket, which were afterwards refunded. Large economies were also effected as regards the keep and hiring of horses and the expenses attached to the use of buggies by those engaged by the police. (RC Story XII)

Ass Com Nicolson told the Royal Commission, ' I sought to reduce the expenditure. I found police using hired horses, some even in the habit of hiring buggies and horses; that I put a stop to, and called in the accounts them. I had no carte blanche for expenditure-I had no money placed to my credit at all.'

'I found bills for hire of some of the horses greater than their value. In one case the bill was about £19, and Mr. Sadleir bought the horse for £15. He got the man to cry quits for £15, and got the horse. The stable was a large one, and it was full of police horses on full rations. There was beautiful grass at this season. I had the stable cleared out, and the horses turned out into the paddock, with an allowance varying from 18 to 20 lbs. of good dry hay per day, in addition to the grass they were getting.'(RC728)

Mr. Hare said AssCom Nicolson "was wasting, too much ammunition,"with the police practicing the use of weapons. The Standish, Chief Commissioner said "I must stop it."(RC1017)
See also (Argus1/8/79)

Later

Mr Graves complained at the cost and wanted an inquiry (Argus25/11/80)

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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.

KellyGang