THE BALLINA TRAGEDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13651, 21 July 1906, Page 9

THE BALLINA TRAGEDY

Press Association—By Telegraph-Copyright.

SYDNEY, July 20.

(Received July 20, at 10.20 a.m.)

Since his arrest Brown, the Ballina murderer, has talked freely. He is reported to have said that the whole thing was the result of a secret society formed in Ballina to keep tip a White Australia. The plan was to have a revolution against the blacks and Chinese, and to kill them off. There were a number in the society, but they kept quiet till they got money to buy arms. He mentioned the niiines of several boys of his own age. They drilled and practised with bayonets, using pumpkins as targets. Ho had agreed to get some money, and went to O'Keefe's for that purpose. It wa6 not his intention to kill them, as they had been his best friends, and he was treated like one of the family. When he got there the old people were glad to see him. He then described how he waited an opportunity to attack them.

The story of the secret society will be well sifted by the police. Brown's associates are respectable lads. He 6ays that some of those pledged to the society are members of the best families in the district. During his flight he had a terrible time in a. swamp, wading for hours up to the waist. He continued walking night dnd day.

(Received July 20, at 11.13 p.m.)

At the inquest on Mr and Mrs OKeefe a boy companion of the accused Brown deposed that three weeks ago Brown asked him to go with hiin and sandbag the O'Kcefes. Brown explained that by sandbagging he meant to hit them and render them insensible. Witness refused to go, but later in the day Brown asked him to go bushranging, adding that lie knew some others who would go.

A man with whom Brown camped gave evidence to the effect that on the d»y before the tragedy his uniform and bayonet were taken out of his hut by Brown without permission. The witness identified his bayonet as that with which the murders were committed.

Tim O'Keefe stated that sometimes his father had reprimanded Brown for neglecting his work, but they generally got on well together. Shortly before Brown left their employ he quarrelled .with <?illick, Once Brown broke open a box belonging to witness's father, and stole money, for which offence he was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. Ho subsequently returned to work for them.

(Rcceivcd July 21, nt 1 a.m.) The coroner, in committing Brown for trial, characterised the crime as the most bloodthirsty in the history of the State.