POLICE CHIEF’S DUEL

Grey River Argus, 11 June 1936, Page 5

POLICE CHIEF’S DUEL

WITH UNDERWORLD MEN Melbourne Shooting Sensation evidence at royal COMMISSION. (Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Junp 10, at 9.35 p.m.) MELBOURNE, June 10. His encounter with two masked men al a rendezvous, which lie had pre-a • ranged with a member of the underworld was described by Superintendent. Brophy (the new head of the Special Criminal Department), 'it. tie.opening of the Royal Commission, which is inquiring into the recent shooting of Superintendent Brophy himself, and as to the authenticity ot the Police statements connected with it. Judge Alaelndoe is the Roy-i’ Comm issioner. Air L. Stretton, who is assistimf tL.-* Royal Commissioner, sa.d t:ia! the whole incident was thick with eonfusi on and n-.ystery. Superintendent. Brophy wnos.-. arm was in n sling, ii-lated now, on 'lie night, of Fri Jay. Airy 22nd, he received a telephone message from a member of the underworld who had offered to give information regarding the “gunmen” who had boon operating around the city and at Royal Park, in the vicinity of Parkville, lie (Superintendent. Brophy) agreed to meet the informer at a spot that had l>e->n arranged t'.v the int'ormer. Judge Alaelndoe asked for the man's mi in-'. Superintendent Brophy uii<lert<>ok to supplv him with the name privale-ly. in eider to protect, the informer from the vengeance of companions. Later that evening. Superintendent Brophy statc-d, he sought the. use of a private car belonging to Airs Orr, the wife of the licensee of Tattersail’s Hotel, as it was not desirable to use ‘he ■ mice ears, th ( < numbers of which th-- nm'erworkl were familiar with. A b;i :!■> at Tottersall’s Hotel, named

M.'m'r, trove the car. Mrs Orr was a Jias-eager. Tho car was stopped at a .-■put al Royal Park, arranged by the informer, when suddenly Airs Orr exclaimed to Maher.” there’s a man alongside the car, Billy!” Superintendent Brophy said that a! that moment, ho noticed :i man on each side of the ear, one of whom was mmskeiL 'The other man flashed n torch into the ear, and called out: “Hands up! Keep quiet!” He also exclaimed: “H’s Brophy!” Superintendent Brophy adde-il: 1 1 dived for mv pistol, whieh was a small calibre one.' and the man shouted, “don’t shoot!” I did not hesitate. 1 fired. The man fired back a bullet shattering bv wrist. I fired again. I am practically certain that I wounded him. Tie continued firing, four striking me. The other man disappeared.” Judge Maclndoe: “AVore thev both shooting?” Superintendent Brophy: ‘‘Acs. One shot punctured a tyre. ’ Superintendent Brophy explained that Hie mon sped away in a “ir. Ataher pursued them until lie was compelled to stop by the flat tyre. Earlier Incorrect Account QUESTION OF AVOMEN IN CAR. REPORTERS’ COUNSEL .MAKES .ACCUSATION. (Received June .10. al 19.49 p.m.) AIELBOUBXE, .June Ki. Continuing his evidence at the inquiry Superintendent Brophy explained the reason why he gave an iiicoiiect. account of the shooting m the first place. Tins was be.'aus. lie did not want to co ip ami-'e Airs Cai ami another woman friend of the Jrr“; m>r did be want his own wife and daughter. who were practically invalids, io hear that he hud been shut by 'uandiis. Superintendent Brophy said that he was convinced that the informer was not associated with the shooting. Air Stretton asked: “Didn’t ic occur to vou that it would be unusual foi a man of your rank to go out on ordinary duty?” Superintendent Brophy: Ido oruinary duty, if necessary. B is done in other States. ’ ’ Air Stretton: “Didn’t it occur to vou that there was a certain amount oi danger that night?” Superintendent Brophy: ‘lt thought, that there were the slightest danger, I would not have taken the two ladies. I believe that it was as big « surprise to the criminals as it was to me.” Air Stretton: “Could you not have picked a trusted policeman to drive your car?” Suporintendeut Brophy: “1 would not trust brother detectives in a case like this.” Superintendent. Brophy added: It would have been no use in calling on local police or a patrol to search lor the attackers, as they would not know whom to search for. 1 thought that I was doomed, tis I was unable to give them information.

Mr Wilburham', K.C., who is appear ing for the "Herald” and their re porters, said that- h 0 was going to suggest that original accident theory was a subterfuge to hide the fact that Superintendent Brophy was out with the women. _ . Superintendent Brophy interjected: "There was nothing sinister. I was not in the car with one, but with two women.” He said that he bad not been-responsible for the accident story that was told to the reporters, and he had had no intention of deliberately deceiving the Police Chief, Sir Thomas Blaney. Mr Wilburham suggested that Superintendent Brophy did everything that would help his assailants, to which Superintendent Brophy replied that it he had given full information, his assailants could have been in Hong Kong before any others could have become aware of‘their movements.