Mafia-Type Society Exists In Melbourne

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30348, 25 January 1964, Page 15

Mafia-Type Society Exists In Melbourne

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright) MELBOURNE, Jan. 24. A senior Victorian police officer, DetectiveSergeant Norman Currie, said today: “A Mafiatype organisation definitely exists in Victoria." Detective-Sergeant Currie was speaking at a press conference on the latest developments in the Mafia-style shootings connected with the Victoria market, said: “Call it what you wish—Camorra, Malavita. Carbonari or Mafia—it most certanly is in existence.” The organisations he mentioned are secret

crime societies which operate in southern Italy and Sicily. The statement was the first time police have admitted the existence in Melbourne of a Mafia-typ organisation. Homicide squad detectives have appealed in English and Italian for help from market gardeners in solving the shotgun murders and woundings. The homicide squad chief, Detective-Inspector J. Matthews, said he wished to hear from any grower dissatisfied with the treatment he had received from Victoria market agents or transport operators. Since April last year, two Calabrian migrants have died and two others have been wounded in shotgun attacks in the metropolitan area. De-tective-Inspector Matthews said that Domenuka Demarte, the second victim, was stil “a very sick man” as a result of his wounds. Antonia Monaco’s condition was satisfactory. Monaco was the fourth and last victim. None of the four crimes has been solved, and no arrests have been made in connexion with any of the attacks.

Echo II Launch Postponed (N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, California, January 24. Technical difficulties in the television camera system have caused a 24-hour delay in the launching of the Echo 2 communications satellite, planned for early this morning. The United States Space Agency announced the postponement late last night, the Associated Press reported. The television camera mounted on the second stage Thor-Agena booster rocket is designed to photograph inflation in space of the 135foot diameter balloon.