SYDNEY MYSTERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16357, 11 October 1916, Page 6

SYDNEY MYSTERY.

DEATH OF A CONSTABLE.

THREE MEN TO BE TRIED.

Aust. and N.Z. Cable. SYDNEY, Oct. 10. An inquest was held concerning the death of Constable Duncan, who was found dead in the Tottenham police station on September 28. There was no clue to the murder, and the constable seemed to have been shot while he was engaged typewriting. The police produced a statement by a man named Frank Franz to the effect that two brothers named Kennedy proposed that Duncan should be shot. Under threats to kill him if he did not obey, they forced Franz to accompany them to the police station and fire, a rifle at Duncan, after each of them had fired a shot which would be fatal. Franz declared to the police that be had been led astray by the I.W.WAnother statement was made by 'Roland Kennedy to the effect that Franz proposed that the constable should be shot. Franz fired twice, j Kennedy declares that his brother, Herbert Kennedy, refused to take part in the murder, saying that he was a married man, and it was not worth his while. A third statement was made by Michael Herbert, Kennedy, who declares that he knew nothing of the shooting of the constable until the next morning, when his brother told him of the occurrence. Herbert Kennedy admitted that he was a spokesman for the 1.W.W., and believed in the teachings of that body. He was formerly a member of the New Zealand police force, and resigned about five years ago. The three men were committed for trial on a charge of having murdered Duncan. ONE OF THE ACCUSED. PART IN WAIHI STRIKE. [by TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION*]. WELLINGTON. Tuesday. Michael Kennedy was a constable stationed in Wellington forolß months. He resigned and became prominent at Waihi during the strike. After several officials had been arrested he was elected president of the Miners' Union, but subsequently had to seek police protection, and was escorted out of the town.