Royal Commission report day 35 page 1
The Royal Commission evidence for 5/7/1881
(see also introduction to day 35)
Present:
The Hon. F. LONGMORE , M.L.A., in the Chair;
J. H. Graves , Esq., M.L.A., W. Anderson , Esq., M.L.A.,
G. W. Hall, Esq., M.L.A., G. C. Levey, Esq., C.M.G.
E. J. Dixon , Esq., J.P.,
Mr. Sadleir stated that the evidence of Dean Gibney had been read over to him by the shorthand writer, and he now again applied that the witness referred to should be recalled for the purpose of cross-examination by him ( Mr. Sadleir ).
The Chairman read the list questions which Mr. Sadleir handed in as the ones he desired to put to Dean Gibney .
Mr. Sadleir was requested to retire.
The Commission deliberated.
Mr. Sadleir was again called in and informed that the Commission had decided to grant his request for the recall and further examination of Dean Gibney .
H. M. Chomley further examined
12715 By the Commission— You see by that letter of Mr. Sadleir's that he desires to be employed again in the force?— That is the letter I forwarded, I presume?
12716 Yes;–Yes.
12717 You gave evidence some time ago. You remember giving evidence here that the business of the country could be carried on without the presence of this gentleman?— No, the question asked me was, was it absolutely necessary that Mr. Sadleir should come back.
12718 At that time?— Yes, and I said it was not absolutely necessary he should come back then.
12719 Has anything arisen since to create a necessity?— Two or three officers are now wanted. Mr. Babington of Ballarat died about a fortnight ago.
12720 I see you made no recommendation with your submission?— No, I did not consider it my duty to do so.
12721 Is it absolutely necessary for those officers or any of them to come back?— We are getting very short-handed. It is not my duty to state that any officer is necessary; I state facts.
12722 I bring to your notice the recommendation of the last Chief Commissioner of Police upon the Iast Estimates. This is a note positively for Parliament. I see eight superintendents, eight inspectors, and six sub-inspectors are provided for. At the bottom there is a note– “As these officers attain the age for superannuation the number will be reduced to sixteen”?— Yes, I do not agree with that; we are now, including myself, only sixteen altogether, and I say that is too few; I have got this ready for you, it is in a paper. There is what it was at the end of last year, twenty-three officers, and now you will see there are only sixteen at work.
12723 What is Mr. Lamer doing?— He is a superior, those five officers are there.
12724 What are those sixteen–Lamer, Toohey, and Kennedy?— That shows all the officers on duty now in July.
12725 What are those three doing?— Doing duty in the city. Mr. Kennedy has gone to Ballarat.
12726 Is he doing Mr. Babington's duty?— Yes.
12727 Mr. Babington and Mr. Hare?— Mr. Babington is dead and Mr. Hare relieved for the time being.
12728 Two are sick–what Smith is this?— That is Mr. Brook Smith.
12729 You have sixteen altogether?— Sixteen including myself.
12730 Two sick and one dead since, and three relieved; do you think that sixteen, as the recommendation made to the Chief Secretary and upon which the Estimates came to the House, is too small for the public service?— I think it is decidedly. You see that will show what the police force is–[handing in another paper]. There is the average of officers to men in all these services. In Dublin it is one to every twelve.
12731 London, one to seventeen; New South Wales, one to thirty-three; South Australia, one to thirty-five; Irish Constabulary, one to forty-two; Victoria, one to fifty?— As we are at present, one to sixty-nine.
12732 May it not be that in a colony like this, where we are supposed to have a better class of police than in some other places; it does not require so many officers to manage the men. Is it not a fact that we are credited with having a very superior body of men in the police to what they have in other colonies?— I cannot say from experience. I think we have.....
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