POLICE INQUIRY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12886, 12 June 1936, Page 5

POLICE INQUIRY

WOUNDING OF VICTORIAN POLICE OFFICER

CHIEF OF POLICE’S TESTIMONY

(U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received, June 11, 9.5 p.m.) MELBOURNE;. June 11.

Sir Thomas, Blarney, Chief of the Vieitcrian, Police, said that ho, saw Superintendent Brophy at the hospital after the shooting. Brophy told him he had l an accident with his own revolver in a ear in, Royal Park Bind that thisire were, two, women with, him also the driver Maher. As a result of lately investigation!* witness had *a. conference with Detective McKorral, when it was. agreed to. issue a, statement to the press that Brophy went toi the! Royal Park in response to amessage .and while, there had 1 been seriously wounded by two bandits. Ho authorised no other statement. On the following day (Monday) he gave an interview to four representatives! of the press, telling them, all he kntnv of the shooting up to that stage. Tho “Ago” newspaper said he would not continue investigations into the shooting. That was wrong. “We had important clues and 1 would not divulge them. Thci Chief Secretary later called, for a report of the. whole of t.hij circumstances which i supplied.” Air SfretLon: “Do you think it proper that Brophy should take two women and a man with him?''--W itness: “I see no impropriety in it. It would have been risky to. take a taxi because of tho driver, also, risky to take a. policeman in plain clothes. Bropliv would, in normal circumstance?, have taken steps to have I,hc assailants arrested hut in this instance he had lour bullet wounds.”

Asked why ho did not supply the names ot tho women in his report lo the Chief Secretary, Blarney said: “Scandal-mongcring is not the busir.e.s.s of the police. Tlieir names were omitted to shield them, because these reports go through many hands.” Mr. Stretton: “When asked by the newspapermen about tho accident, did you say you did not know where the report came from and that nobody seemed to know anything about it?” Blarney: “i said something to that effect.”

Mr. Stretton: “If you said it, it would be an obvious untruth?”— Blarney: “Yes, if .1 said it.” Mr. Ham asked whether Blarney attempted to stifle information regarding tho shooting at the hospital and Blarney answered : “We were anxious that no wrong reports should he disseminated, U r « wanted to ensure accuracy.”

Mr. Ham: “Or to ensure inacecuracy?”—Blarney: “T replied to the reporters’ questions without intending to be candid." Mr. Ham.- “Then your intention was to mislead?”—-Blarney: “No. definitely to parry.” Mr Blarney, replying to Mr Ham, said that when the shooting was originally reported to be accidental, lie did not ask Brophy how he came to bo wounded all over the body. Mr Ham: “Did’nfc von think it strange?” Mr Blarney: “Yes” The inquiry way adjourned.