DETECTIVE KIRBY'S CASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2205, 4 June 1896, Page 30

DETECTIVE KIRBY'S CASE.

THE" ACCUSED DISAPPEARS. Wellington, May 29. When Detective K ; rby's case- was called on this morning there was no appeaiv«noo of tie accused. Oa the application of the Crown prosecutor a warrant was issued for his arrest, and his recognisances in the sum of £400' were estreated. Mr Martin, S.M., addressing Inspector Pcnder, said he hoped there would be do neglect in apprehending the accused. This was the second occasion within 15 months in which a police officer had been charged with a serious crime and had succeeded in evading justice. If tho accused had got away to Australia he trusted every effort would be made to see the law vindicated. Kit by was last eean about 5 o'clock on Wridnonday afternoon. The Talune left for Sydney at 8 that night, but tbe police are confident that he did not get away by her, at the steamer was watched, and prior to her departure Chief Detective Campbell thoroughly searched the vessel. The suggestion that he might hare left for London from Lyttelton by the Tainui last night is not credited by the police, as that steamer was also watched. When Kirby was fir6t charged here the police opposed the granting of bail, but Mr Greenfield, S.M., allowed it in two sureties of £100 each on each charge. Mr Jones (a contractor, formerly of Timaru) and Mr Hoby (a dentist, of Wellington) were tha sureties. May 30. A reward of £250 is offered for information as to the whereabouts of Detective Kirby. The Evening Post received an anonymous letter today, saying that Kirby was shaved by a barber in Herman's shop and got his hair dyed and c«ujzht the Tainui at Lyttelton. He hinted that the sureties connived at his escape. Inquiries, however, quite disprove the accusation. All the persons ' mentioned emphatically deny having seen Kirby or having had anything to do with his escape, and the Tainui and Takapuna were both sc archf d before leaving. Christchurch, May 29. Regarding the Kirby case, the police at Lytteltoa carefully searched the steamers arriving from the north during tho last couple, of days, and. also the direct liner Tainui, which' left for London on Thursday. It is a somewhat significant fact that, as appears from the Herald, it was rumoured in Timarn on Thursday that Kirby had ab3cocded.

At the adjourned inquest on the bo4r of Ernest Webb, who lost his life in the recent fire in Collingwood street, Drs Roberts and Gibbs, who made a post-mortem examination, declared that the cause of death was suffocation. After lengthy evidence the jury found a- verdict in accordance with the medical testimony, adding that there was no evidence to show the origin of the Sro.