MASKED BANDITS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12885, 11 June 1936, Page 5

MASKED BANDITS

WOUNDING OF SUPT. BROPHY. A MELBOURNE SENSATION. SEQUEL TO PRE-ARRANGED MEETING. PHONE MESSAGE FROM UNDERWORLD. IMPORTANT EVIDENCE BEFORE COMMISSION. (U.P.A by Elec. Tel. Copy right k. (Received June 10, 9.35 p.m.) MELBOURNE, June 10. His encounter with two masked men t r;1 a rendezvous pre-arranged with a. member of !ho underworld was described by Superintendent Brophy at tho opening of the Royal Commission which is inquiring into the shooting oi Brophy and the authenticity of the police statements connected with it. Judge Maclndje is Royal Commissioner. Air. L. Stretton, wljo is assisting tho Commissioner, said the whole incident was thick with confusion and mystery. Brophy, whose arm was in a sling, related that on the night of May 22, he received a telephone message from a member of the underworld who offered to give information regarding “gunmen” operating around the city . and tho Royal Park in the vicinity of Parkville. Brophy agreed to meet him at a spot arranged by the informer. Judge Maclndoo asked for the loan’s name. Brophy undertook to supply the name privately in order to protect the informer Porn the vengeance of his companions. Later that evening witness , sought the use of a private car belonging to Mrs Orr. wife of the licensee of Tattersalls Hotel, as it was undesirable to use a police ear, the number of which the underworld were familiar with. A barman at Tattersail’s Hotel named Maher drove the car and Airs. Orr was a passenger. The car was stopped at the spot in the Royal Park arranged by the informer when, suddenly Mrs. Orr exclaimed to Maher: “There's a man alongside the car, Billy.” Brophy said that moment he noticed a man on each side of the car.. One of them was masked and the other flashed a torch into the car and called out: “Hands up! Keep quiet!” He also exclaimed “It’s Brophy.’ ’Brophy added: “I dived for my pistol, which was a small calibre one and the man shouted ‘Don’t shoot.’ I did not hesitate. I tired and the man fired back, the bullet shattering my wrist. I fired again and am practically certain that [ wounded him. He continued firing, four bullets striking me. The other man disappeared. Judge Maclndoc: “Were they both shooting?” Brophy: “Yes. One shot punctured a tyro.” Brophy explained that the men sped away in a car. Maher pursued them until compelled to stop by the @at tyre. WHY INCORRECT STORY WAS TOLD. DID NOT WTSH TO COMPROMISE THE WOMEN IN THE CAR. Brophy explained that the reason why ho gave an incorrect account of the shyoting in the first place was that ho did not want to compromise Mrs. Orr and another woman friend of the Orrs. Nor did he want his own wife and vulio "were pracfcieally invalids, to hear he had been shot by bandits. Bropby said he was convinced his informer was not associated wiln the shooting. Mr. Stretton asked: “Didn’t it occur to you it was unusual for a man o; your rank to go out on ordinaryduty'?” Brophy: “I do ordinary duty if necessary. It is done in other States. ’ Air. Stretton: “Didn't it occur to . on that there was a certain amount of danger that night?” Brophy: “If I had thought there vvas tho slightest danger. I would not [>avo taken two ladies. . 1 holier oit was as big a surprise to the criminals as to us.” AL 1 . Stretton: “Could you not have picked a trusted policeman to drive your car?” Brophy: “I would not trust brother detectives in a case like this. Brophy added that it was no use calling tho log'll police or a patrol to search for the attackers, as they would not know who to seaich foi. “I thought l was doomed as I was nimDio to give them inlormution, he added. Mr. Wilbur Ham. lv.C. (who is appearing for the Herald and their reporters) said that he was going to suggest that the original accident theory was a subterfuge to hide the fact that Brophy was out with women. Brophy interjected: “There is nothing sinister. 1 was not in the ear with one but with two women.” He said he was not responsible for the accident story told to'tho reporters and lie had no intention of deliberate- ;■»' deceiving the Police Chief, Sii Thomas Blarney. Air Ham suggested that Brophy dul overfilling to help the assailants. Brophy replied that if he had given full information his assailants could have been in Hongkong before the police became aware of their movements. 5 . • There had been several hold-ups m Royal Park, added Brophy. but some wero not reported in tho interests of women whose reputations were at stake. Tho story told at police headquarters that ho accidentally shot himself with him Own pistol was a stopgap excuse and a pure fabrication. I•„ was realised that the real truth would liavo to conic out, but not necessarily for the public. 'Clio inquiry" was adjourned.