The following is a copy from the news report of the government inquiry into the conditions of the police services
in Australia in 1835.
This section of the report covers the district of Windsor.
Reports for the remaining districts (Van Diemens Land, Maitland,Goulburn,Bathurst,Paterson,Argyle, Wollongong,
Patricks Plains, Ivermien and Yass Plains) can be found at Genseek's Police History
The Committee (consisting of the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney General,
Mr Berry, H.H.M'Arthur, and Mr Bell ) was appointed to "..enquire into and report upon the establishment
and strength of the Police Force and all it's branches, to what extent
it may be expedient to maintain it, and the expense it will occasion, and
to enquire into the capacity and condition of the Gaols in the colony,
and to report what additional buildings appear to be required, and
the probably expense of providing them.." .
presented by © J.Fawcett (Genseek) 2002 |
Wed.3rd June 1835.
Samuel North,Esq, Superintendent of Police, Windsor.
The police district of Windsor is bounded by the Richmond
Road from the mouth of the Grose to the South Creek Bridge; thence by
a line almost east to the Windsor and Paramatta Road; thence by a line
almost east to the WIndsort and Parramatta road; thence by a lince
north-east to Morther Marr's creek; from that creek by a line north
to the dividing ranges between the Hunter and Hawkesbury,taking in the
greater part of the County of Cook, as far as Mount Tomah and thence
to the mouth of the Grose.
The population of the country I have described amounts to at
leaset six thousand individuals.
There are at present in the district,one chief constable, who
has a salary of £130 a-year,eight ordinary constables at two shillings
and three pence a day each, a watch-house keeper at two shillings and
three pence a-day, and a scourger at one shilling and three pence.
Two thirds of the constables are free men, the remainder ticket-of-
leave holders, with the exception of one, who is a prisoner of the
crown, as is the scourger.
When I took charge of the district, there were thirty-three
constables in it.
In the town of Windsor there is a jail and a lock-up house,
there is also a lock-upu house at Wilberforce, and another at
Richmond.
The lock-up place at Richmond is in charge of the poundkeeper,
who receives no other renumeration for his trouble than permission
to occupy the dwelling house attached.
The lock-up house at Wilberforce is in charge of a constable,
who, when absent on duty, is obliged to leave it in the care of a
servant. An order was issued,while General Darling was governor, to
build a lock-up house at Pitt Town, which was not carried into
effect, but I consider that a lock-upu house there and another in
the Kurryjong country, are absolutely ncessary.
The weekly average of cases at Windsor Bench is forty at
least; of these two thirds are convict and one third free cases.
I am on the opinion,that an addition of seven constables
to the police is necessary and three lock-uup keepers, if the
necessary houses should be erected.
Suitors at the Windsor Bench have to travel partly by land
and partly by water, a distance of thirty five-forty miles.
There are three mounted policemen stationed at Windsor, who
are quite sufficient for the duties they have to perform; they are
never employed on any but police duty. Within three years, from 1st
May 1832-30th April 1835, 232 runaway convicts were apprehended in
this district; of this number only 23 were apprehended by the mounted
police.
I have found no difficulty in procuring proper persons to
fill the situation of constable in the Windsor district; the men I
prefer for these situations are ticket-of-leave holders.
The amount of my pay is £300 per annum and a house is provided
for me; I receive no other allowances.
The business of the office occupies me five or six hours
every day. I consider that it would be advisable to hold a Court of
Petty Sessions, at Wisemans, once a month, and at North Richmond
once a fortnight.
I think, from his share of fines, and some other sources,
the chief constable derives emoluments to the amount of £25 or
£35 a-year; he is also inspector of slaughter houses but from this
situation he gains very little.
I would resume that a few of the constables receive a higher
rate of salary than they do now - say three shillings a day. This
rate of pay, and the hope of succeeding to it by promotion, would
be a very great inducement to good conduct; and when necessary to
send out parties of constables, the men receiving it might with
advantage be sent in command; one of the also might be employed in
charge of the nightly watch. In the town of Windsor there are eight
efficient constables; they are divided into two night watchmen, and
take the duty night by night. They have also to escort prisoners to
Parramatta and Emu Plains, and to serve summonses and warrants, and
to go in pursuit of bushrangers and etc.
With reference to my statements, that I consider it necessary
to increase the police force of this district, I beg leave to state
to the committee, that on more mature consideration I would recommend
the addition to consist of six ordinary constables, at the usual rate
of pay, two conductors at about three shillings per diem, and one
assistant chief constable, at four shillings per diem.
I also recommend that the town police be supplied with watch coats
and a uniform.
A light four oared boat,stationed at Windsor, would be a
great advantage, in the suppression of 'sly grog' selling, which is
frequently carried on in boats in the river Hawkesbury. This boat
would also facilitate the apprehension of offenders and could be
manned by constables. I beg to add, that formerly a boat was allowed
for the service of the police in this district.
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