WIDOW’S EVIDENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 139, 13 June 1936, Page 9

WIDOW’S EVIDENCE

Shooting of Police Officer VICTORIAN INQUIRY INCIDENTS AT ROYAL PARK Received June 12, 10.30 p.m. MELBOURNE, June .11. Before the Royal Commission which is inquiring into the shooting oi Superintendent Brophy and the authentcity of police statements connected with it, Airs. Madeline Orr, widow, licensee of Tattersail’s Hotel, near the detective headquarters, gave evidence that she had known Superintendent Brophy and family for years and often visited them. Witness corroborated ■ the story of the shooting and during cross-examination by Mr. Stretton said ' the car lights were switched off whih it was parked at Royal Park. Mr. Stretton: Did it not seem a n.ys- - terious way for an old friend like Mr. Brophy to act? Witness: No! Mr. Strettor.: What did you do—have a pleasant chut in the dark? Witness: We did not. have time. It 1 was only a matter of minutes when the bandits appeared. ' Mr. Stretton; You passed the police ' station after Mr. Brophy was injured Why didn’t you give information? Witries#: We were acting under Air. Brophy’s instructions, which were to ! save us women. Mr. Brophy asked us to leave it. to him. Air. Stanley Lewis, who is appearing ’ for the Melbourne Herald, asked Mrs. Orr whether she treated Maher more J as a friend than an employee, to which she replied: “Ho is merely an employee in my bar.” Mr. Lewis: You and Mrs. Phillips : were in the back scat of the car, but 5 when it stopped Mrs. Phillips changed ’ places with Air. Brophy. What was the reason? Witness: There was no particular ' reason. Witness added that Mr. Brophy’s last words were: “ You leave this to me. I think they have got me. lam 1 riddled with bullets.” Mrs. Elsie Phillips, of Middle I’ark gave similar evidence. She added that 1 when the firing began Maher cried to her “Bob down,” and pushed her head down. Mrs. Phillips added that she did not scream when she heard the shots fired, nor did Mrs. Orr. Mrs’ Phillips’ husband then entered the witness box. He declared he was still on good terms with his wife and 1 there was no dissension as a result of the car incident. William Alaher, who is a barman at Mrs. Orr's hotel, detailed a conversation when Inspector Brophy asked for the use of Mrs. Orr’s car on the night of Alay 22. Maher said that Mrs. Orr and Mrs. Phillips on the same evening wanted to be driven to Clifton Hill, whereupon Alaher told them Mr. Brophy wanted the car. Mrs. Orr exclaimed: “Oh, dash it!” Alaher then related the happenings in the Royal Park.