SHOOTING IN PARK

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12904, 3 July 1936, Page 5

SHOOTING IN PARK

. . -i-i ih,.i •• « fihVyh"; COMMISSIONER’S REPORT. - HL» G j >{*7 . Yt <7 GA NOTHING IMPROPER. ; IN BROPHY’S CONDUCT. \‘ • / SIR T. BLAMEY NOT BELIEVED. f 1. ; ... V; V Vvl M U *T A - POLICE v. PRESS VENDETTA. (U.p.A. by Ejec. Tel, Copyright). (Received .July 2, 10.20 p.m.) , •i : i,‘ i i», 1, \ p-A . ■/ V MELBOURNE, July, 2. Tho report of Judge - 'Maelndoe, who - -inquired intbi ;the shooting’ : of Superintendent-’ Bropliy 7 at 'Royal Park oil May 22 was tabled in Parlia-ment-to-day, aq !' . •The' report 'found no impropriety on tho; part of Brhphy- in- 'taking tho two women wheii ho went to'meet the informer, There' was -berthing immoral or improper in Brophy’s eonduet-.'.- ;. u>. ;■> . ni- •’ > - Dueling with tho evidence-of'' Sir Thomas Blarney,' the J udgo ;said that, having regard to the nature-' and laimber-’of- wounds, lie could-not accept - Blarney’s statement that he believed it was an accident when it was first reported to him. : : " -

“L am forced to the conclusion that Blamy was told the truth that Bropliy was held up and shot, and I believe that, being jealous of the reputation of tho Force lie commands, ho thought that its reputation might be endangered if the whole truth were disclosed,”

Judge Maelndoe commented upon the contradictions in tho evidence of the reporters at the interviews at which information regarding the shooting was sought. Ho did not believe Sir T. Blarney ever said that no steps were being taken to investigate the shooting. The police were in possession of very few facts which would lead to the identification of tho criminal. He was satisfied that Brophy’s original story of an accident was prompted by liis desire to. safeguard the reputation of the two women with him when lie was shot.

- Just before the police inquiry report was" submitted to Parliament today. Mr. McKenzie (Labor) made a statement in which he referred to a vendetta, between the Melbourne press and police. He. said that since the inquiry certain Melbourne journalists were being shadowed by police officers. Mr. McKenzie said Sir Blarney, in reply to a question earlier i,\ the week, admitted that one journalist. who was suspected of a certain offence, had been placed under surveillance. “It is obvious.” said Mr. McKenzie, “that the suspicion was that the journalist was obtaining information from certain members of the police force. The police had been camping on the tail of the journalist’s car. following it all over the, syburbs. When the-journalist became aware of the procedure, lie. led the police on a hide and seek expedition all over Melbourne. It i.s a sinful waste of public money to , take, police from their regular work for this sort of thing.” THREATS TO COUNSEL, (U.P.A. by Elcc. Tel. Copyright). (Received July 3, 3,40 a.m./. f MELBOURNE, July 2. It was revealed to-day that during a sitting of the Police Commission, threats by telephone and anonymous letters were received by Mr. L. E. B. St rotten, counsel assist ng the Commissioner, ami by Mr. IV. Bam. counsel for the il maid newspaper, warning them to be carciul or their houses would bo bombed. Mr. Ham received three telephone messages and a letter and Mr. Stretton two tviophone messages. At the inquiry both severely crossexamined police witnesses, demanding the name of. their informer, whom Bropliy wont to see on the night of tho shooting. The name "'as revealed to the Judge alone: