TRAP FOR POLICE OFFICIAL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20441, 11 June 1936, Page 9

TRAP FOR POLICE OFFICIAL

FIGHT WITH GUNMEN DISTURBING COUNTER ALLEGATIONS ROYAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 10, 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 Superintendent Brophy, and the authenticity of the police statements connected with it. Confusion and Mystery Mr Justice Maclndoe is the Royal Commissioner. Mr L. Stretton, who is assisting the Commissioner, said the whole incident was thick with confusion and mystery. Superintendent 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 the Royal Park, in the vicinity of Parkville. Brophy agreed to meet rim at a spot arranged by the informer. Judge Maclndoe asked for the man’s name, and Brophy undertook to supply the name privately, in order to protect the informer from the vengeance of his compantons. “Hands Up! Keep Quiet!” Later that evening Brophy sought the use of a private car belonging to Mrs Orr, wife of the licensee of Tattersall’s Hotel, as it was undesirable to use police cars, the numbers of which the underworld were familiar with. A barman at Tattersall’s Hotel named Maher, drove the car and Mrs Crr was a passenger. The car was stopped at a spot in the Royal Park arranged by the informer, when suddenly Mrs Or” exclaimed to Maher: “There’s a man alongside the car, Billy.” 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 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 fired back, the bullet shattering my wrist. I fired again and am practically certain that I wounded him. He continued firing, four bullets striking me. The other man disappeared.” Judge Maclndoe: Were they both shooting? Brophy: Yes. One shot punctured a tyre. Brophy explained that the men sped away' in a car, and Maher pursued them until he was compelled to stop by a flat tyre. Superintendent's Explanation. 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 Mrs Orr's, nor did he want his own wife and daughter, who are practically invalids, to hear that he had been shot by bandits. Brophy said he was convinced that his informer was not associated with the shooting.

Mr Stretton asked: Did it not 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 States. Mr Stretton: Did it not occur to you that there was a certain amount of danger that night? Brophy: If I thought 'that there was the slightest danger, I would not have taken the two ladies. I believe it was as big a surprise to the criminals as to me.

Mr Stretton: Could you not have picked a trusted policeman to drive your car? Brophy: I would not trust my brother detectives in a case like this. He added: It was no use calling the local police or a patrol to search for his attackers, as they would not know who to search for.” I thought I was doomed so I was unable to give the information,” said Brophy. Pointed Suggestions Mr Wilbur Ham, K.C., who is appearing for "The Melbourne 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 is nothing sinister. I was not in the car with one, b-’t with two women. He said he was not responsible for the accident story told to the reporters, and he had no intention of deliberately deceiving the Police Chief (Sir Thomas Blarney).

Mr Ham suggested that Brophy did everything to help his assailants, to which Brophy replied that, if he had given full information, his asailants, could have been In Hong Kong before they were aware of their movements. Police Statement Explained

There had been several hold-ups in Royal Park, added Brophy, but some had not been reported in the interests of women whose reputations were at stake. The story told at the police headquarters that he accidentally shot himself, with his own pistol, was a stop-gap excuse and a pure fabrication. It was realised that the real truth would have to come out, but not necessarily for the public. The Commission adjourned.