PARK SHOOTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 69, 23 March 1937, Page 8

PARK SHOOTING.

MELBOURNE CHARGE.

WOUNDING C.1.8. CHIEF.

•STORY REVEALED IN COURT.

MELBOURNE, March 16,

Superintendent Brophy, head of the C.1.8., in the City Court to-day revealed hitherto unpublished information about the mysterious .shooting, during which he was wounded, in Royal Park, on May 22. 1930. Superintendent Brophy identified Geoffrey Davies, 32, labourer, of Perry Street. Collingwood, as the man who shot him. Davies. who was charged with having wounded Brophy with intent to murder, was committed for trial. The shooting of Superintendent Brophy excited great public interest, and a Royal Commission was appointed to inquire into it. Shots Fired. Superintendent Brophy said to-day that on May 22 he went in a motor car driven by a man named Maher to Royal Park to keep an. appointment with a member of the underworld. As he sat in the car Davies approached, opened the door, and Paid: "Stick 'em up." Another man came from the other side of the car. Brophy said that he drew his revolver and fired. Davies fired four or five shots. One bullet struck witness in the right arm, another in the right cheek, and a third hit his left breast. , Brophy added that he left the car and saw two figures, one of -which was Davies, enter another car some distance away.

Superintendent Brophy said that on November 6 Da vies said: "Stan, Bill Stephens and Cody were in the ear. They came from Sydney. They had no idea it was Brophy. They saw a good car and intended to take it. They think it was Cody who shot you. It was just as well you did not chase them. You would have been, shot up. They had a sawn-off shot gun, a rifle like the Americans use, as well as revolvers." Counsel's Questions. Mr. N. H. Sonnenberg (for Da vies) cross-examined Superintendent Brophy on evidence which was given at the Royal Commission. Brophy said that he was sure now of some things of which he had been uncertain at the time of the Royal Commission. Mrs. Orr* of .Tajttersall's Hotel, Was in the back seat of the car with witness. Mrs. Phillips was in' the front seat with Maher. -He did not charge Davies with the shooting when he saw him on November 6 for a reason which it would be inadvisable to disclose, and because Davies was then facing other charges. 3)avies pleaded not guilty. He was. granted bail of £400. '