MYSTERY HOLD-UP.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 June 1936, Page 2

MYSTERY HOLD-UP.

POLICE OFFICER AND MASKED MEN.

STRANGE STORY AT INQUIRY.

(By Telegraph-Press Assn.-Oopyright) Received Wednesday, 9.35 p.m. MELBOURNE, June 10.

His encounter with two masked men at a rendezvous prearranged with a member of the underworld was described by Superintendent Brophy at the opening of the Royal Commission, which is inquiring into the shooting of Brophy and the t-uthenticity of the police statements connected with it. Judge Maclndoe is the Royal Commissioner.

Mr L. Stretton, who is assisting the 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 theJßoyal Park, in the vicinity of Parkville. Brophy agreed to meet at a spot arranged by the informer. Judge Maclndoe asked for the man's name and Brophy undertook to supply the name privately m order to protect the informer from the vengeance of his companions. Later that evening Brophy sought the use of a private car belonging to Mrs. Orr, wife of the licensee of Tattersalls Hotel, as it was undesirable to use police cars, the numbers of which the underworld were familiar with.

A barman at Tattcrsall's Hotel, named Mahcr, drove the car and Mrs Orr was a passenger. The car was stopped at a spot at Royal Park arranged by the informer, when suddenly Mrs Orr exclaimed to Malier: "There's a man alongside the car, Billy." Brophy said at that moment he noticed a man on each side of the car, one of whom was masked and the other flashed a torch into the cai and called out: "Hands up! Keep quiet." He also exclaimed: "It's Brophy!" Brophy added: "I dived for my pistol, which is a small calibre one, and the man shouted: 'Don't shoot!' I did not hesitate. I fired and the man iired back, the bullet shattering my wrist. I fired again and 1 am practically certain I wounded him. He continued .firing, four bullets striking me. The other man disappeared.'' Judge Maclndoe: Were they both shooting? Brophy: Yes. One shot and punctured the tyre. Brophy explained that the men sped away in a car and Maher pursued them until compelled to stop by the flat tyre. Brophy explained that the reason why he gave an incorrect account of the shooting in the first place was that he did not want to compromise Mrs Orr '

and another woman friend of Orr's, nor did he want his own wife and daughter, who were practically invalids, to hear he had been shot by bandits. Brophy said he was convinced the informer was not associated with tho shooting.

Mr Stretton asked: Didn't'it occur to you that it was unusual for a man of your rank to go out on ordinary duty Brophy: I do ordinary duty if necessary. It is done in other Stateis. Mr Stretton: Didn't it occur to you that there was a certain amount of danger that night? Brophy: If I thought there w r as the slightest danger I would not hav© taken two ladies. I believe it was as big a surprise to the criminals as it was to me.

Mr Stretton: Could you not have picked a trusted policeman to driveyour car?

Brophy: I would not trust rny brother detectives in a case like this.

Brophy added that it was no use calling the local police or a patrol to search for attackers as they would not know who to search for. ''l thought I was doomed as I was unable to give them information.''

Mr Wilbur Ham, K.C., who was appearing for the Mebourne Herald and their reporters, said 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 was nothing sinister in that. 1 was not in a car with one, but two, women.

lie said he was not responsible for the accident story told lo the reporters and he had no intention of deliberately deceiving' the Police Chief, yir Thomas Blarney.

Mr Hani suggested that Brophy did everything to help his assailants, to which Brophy replied that if he had given full information, his assailants could have been in Hong Kong before the police were aware of their movements.

There had been several hold-ups in the JJoyal Park, added Brophy, but some were not reported in the interests of women whose reputations were at stake. The story told at polii-e headfjiutrters that he accidentally shot himself with his own pistol was a ''stopgap" excuse and a pure fabrication. It was realised that: the real truth would have to come out but not necessarily for the public. The inquiry was adjourned.