MELBOURNE SHOOTING

Wairarapa Daily Times, 13 June 1936, Page 5

MELBOURNE SHOOTING

CONTINUATION OF ENQUIRY. A WOMAN’S EVIDENCE. MELBOURNE, Friday. At the continuation of the enquiry into the shooting of Superintendent Brophy and the authenticity of police statements connected with it, Mrs Madeline Orr, widow and licensee of Tattersall’s Hotel, near the detective headquarters, gave evidence that she had known the Brophy family for years and often visited them. Witness corroborated the story of the shooting, and during cross-examination by Mr Stretton, who is assisting the Royal Commissioner, said that the car lights were switched off while the car was parked at Royal Park. Mr Stretton: Did it not seem a mysterious way for an old friend like Brophy to act? Witness: No. Mr Stretton: What did you do—have a pleasant chat in the dark Witness: We did not have time. It was only a matter of minutes when the bandits appeared. Mr Stretton: You passed the police station after Brophy was injured. Why didn’t you give information? Witness:, We were acting under Brophy’s instructions, which were to save us women. Brophy asked us to leave it to him.

Mr Stanley Lewis, who is appearing for the “Herald,” asked Mrs Orr whether she treated Maher more as a friend than an employee, to which she replied: “He is merely an employee in my bar.” Mr Lewis: You and Mrs Phillips were in the back seat of the car, but when it stopped Mrs Phillips changed places Avith Brophy. What Avas the reason? Witness: “There Avas no particular reason.” Witness added that Brophy’s last Avords Avere: “You leavrn this to me. I think they have got me. I am riddled Avith bullets.” Mrs Elsie Phillips, Middle Park, gaA 7 e similar evidence. She said that Avlien the firing began Maher cried to her to bob doAvn, and pushed her head doAvn. Mrs Phillips added that she did not scream AA-lien she heard the shots fired, nor did Mrs Orr. Mrs Phillips’ husband then entered the Avitncss box, and declared that he’ Avas still on good terms Avith his Avife, and there had been no dissension as a result of the car incident. William Maher, aaTio is a barman at Mrs Orr’s hotel, detailed the conversation Avlien Brophy asked for the use of Mrs Orr’s car on the night of 22nd May. Maher said that Mrs Orr and Mrs Phillips on the same evening Avanted to be driven to Clifton Hill, AA rhercupon Maher told them that Brophy Avanted the ear. Mrs Phillips exclaimed: “Oh, dash it!” Maher then related the happenings in Royal Park.