A SENSATIONAL CASE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5570, 20 May 1896, Page 2

A SENSATIONAL CASE.

CHARGE AGAINST A DETECTIVE. !_Per Press Association. J NAPIER,. May 19. A most extraordinary and painful sensation was created in town to-day, when the well-known Detective Kirby was arrested on a warrant from Wellington, charging him with having, on or about 1882, at Tiniaru, feloniously threatened to accuse one John Herman of a certain crime with a view to extort and gain money,, and by threatening in a like manner did cause the said John Herman to sign two cheques, valued at .£4OO and .£3OO respectively. The accused was brought before Mr Turnbnll, S.M., this afternoon, when, without .offering any evidence, Sergeant Donovan applied for a remand to Wellington, which was granted. Detective Kirby appealed for bail, substantial sureties being in waiting, but the Magistrate said that he would give him a short remand to Wellington, when he could take his chance of getting bail there. It is understood that this is not a private prosecution, but undertaken at the instance of the Government. Herman, at the date of the summons, was in business as a tobacconist at Tiinaru, but he soon after went to America, whence he returned only a few months ago. He was, it is said, met by an old iriend, who had a grudge against Kirby, on account of an affair in Napier, and on hearing the circumstances, his friend communicated with the authorities, who, after inquiries, instituted the prosecution.