This is part of the digitized version of the Francis Hare Correspondence held in the University of Melbourne Archives. It consists of 54 letters and documents, of which this is one, from 1859-87 and received by or relating to Superintendent Francis Hare, one of the members of the Victoria police force involved in the pursuit and capture of the Kelly Gang. The collection complements Hare’s published memoir, The Last of the Bushrangers (London, 1892) and includes letters by some of the key figures of the Kelly story including the Police Commissioner Frederick Standish, Superintendents Charles Hope Nicolson and John Sadleir, Detective M Ward and John Sherritt, as well as items by Hare himself.

Paper no.12, 28 July, 13 September, 15 October 1879

TEXT: I charge Mr Nicolson with insubordination in forcing his way into Mr Ramsay’s office and making a false statement of what Mr Ramsay said & general unfitness for the force – see Capt Standish’s notes – / / One of the charges preferred against Capt Standish is that the foot police were withdrawn from the Banks ultimately giving Mr N due notice in his letter to Capt S of the 28th July 1879 he says he has written to Ramsay about withdrawing three men & he recd no reply. / / In a letter dated 13th Sept 1879 Mr Nic says I believe I can put my hand on one of them almost […? …?…?] and he says I […?] the Victorian Police will have […? …?] one swoop at a period not far distant / / In a letter of the 15th Oct 1879 he says I believe the end is not far off / / In a letter dated 10th Nov he describes Jack Sherritt’s meeting Joe Byrnes /

OTHER TEXT: Extracts from / Capt Standish’s / private letters / […?] Nicolson /