SHOOTING MYSTERY

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1936, Page 5

SHOOTING MYSTERY

POLICE CHIEF ROYAL COMMISSION INQUIRY. (Australian Press Association). MELBOURNE, June 10. His encounter with two masked men at a rendezvous, which he had pre-ar-ranged with a member of the underworld was described by Superintendent Brophy (the new head of the 'Special Criminal Department), at the opening of the Koval Commission, which is inquiring into the recent shooting of Superintendent Brophy himself, and as to tiie authenticity of the police statements connected with it. Judge Maclndoe is the Itoyal Commissioner. Mr L. Stretton, who is. assisting the Royal Commissioner, said that the whole incident was thick with confusion and mystery. Superintendent Brophy whose arm was. in a sling, related how, on the night of Friday, May 22, he received a. telephone message from a member or the underworld who had offered to give information regarding the “gunmen” who had .been operating around the city and at Royal Park, in the vicinity of Parkville. He agreed to meet the informer at a spot that had been arranged by the informer. Judge Maclndoe asked for the man’s name. ''■% Superintendent Brophy nndeito lc to supply him with the name privately, in order to protect the informer from the vengeance of companions. Later that evening, he sought, the use of a private car belonging to Mrs Orr, the wife of the licensee of Tattersall’s Hotel, as it was not desirable to use the police cars, the numbers of which the underworld were familiar with. A barman at Tattersall’s Hotel, named Maher, drove the car. 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 Maher: “There’s-a vinan alongside the car, Billy!” ‘ Superintendent Brophy said that at that moment, he noticed a man on each side of the car, one of whom was masked. The other man flashed a) torch into the car, and called out: “Hands upT Keep quiet!” He also exclaimed: “It’s Brophy!” Superintendent Brophy added: “1 (lived for my pistol, which was a small calibre one, and the man shouted: “Don’t shoot!” I did not hesitate. I fired. The man fired back, a bullet shattering my wrist. I fired again. 1 am practically certain that I wounded him. Be continued firing, four bul'ets striking me. The other man disappeared.”

Judge Maclndoe: Were they both shooting?-—Yes. Superintendent Brophy explrined that the men sped away in a car. Maher pursued them until he was compelled to stop by the flat type. He said he was convinced that the informer was not associated with the shooting.

Mr Stretton asked: “Didn’t it occur to you that it would be unusual for a man of your rank to go out on ordinary duty?”

Superintendent Brophy: “I do ordinary duty, if necessary. It is done in other States.” Mr Stretton: “Didn’t it occur to you that there was a certain amount of danger that night?” Superintendent Brophy: “If I thought that there were the slightest danger* 1 would not have taken the two ladies. I believe that 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 drive

your car?”

Superintendent Brophy: “I 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 for the attackers, as they would not know whom to search for. I thought that I was doomed as 1 was unable to give them information.

Mr Wilburham, K.C., who is appearing for the “Herald” and their reporters, said that he 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 had 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 Blanev.

Mr Wilburnham suggested that Superintendent Brophy did everything that would help his assailants, to which Superintendent. Brophy replied that if he had given full information, his assailants could have been in Hong Kong before any others could have become aware of their movements. ■

There had been several hold-ups in Boyal Park, added Brophy, but some were not reported in the interests of women whose reputations were at stake. The story told at police headquarters that he accidentally shot himself with his own pistol was a “stop-gag excuse,” and a pure fabrication.”

Tt was realised the real truth would have to conip. out, but not necessarily for the public.

The hearing was adjourned