A CONSTABLE’S HEALTH.

and his last invitation.

When several men in an hotel ( the Rose & Crown ) at Young were drinking the health of Constable Cartwright, he replied, ” I will bet you £5 I will be dead before any of you. If this gun cartridge will not finish me this revolver will. I invite you all to my funeral.” Later in the night the body of Cartwright was found on the Wombat-road with his brains blown out.

Bert Cartwright’s Death

CORONIAL INQUEST.

The Coroner, Mr. G. S. Whiteman conducted an inquest this morning concerning the death of Bert Watson Cartwright, constable of police, who was found on the Wombat road on the night of December 3rd with his brains blown out, and a double barrelled gun beside him.

Formal evidence of the finding of the body was given by Constable Auld.

George Eastley, a gardener, residing at Spring Creek, said that he had known Bert Cartwright since childhood, and had always been on friendly terms with him. At a few minutes past seven on the evening of December 3rd, deceased had come to his home. He behaved in a peculiar manner, was staring about, and kept looking at his watch. At times he talked quite sensibly. After having a cup of tea he asked for his gun at 7.30 p.m. and announced his intention of going to town alone, but witness insisted on going part of the way with him. Deceased had been shooting rabbits in the locality, and had left the gun in witness’ keeping about three weeks before. Deceased shook hands with Mr. Punt, Mrs. Eastley and Miss Eastley, and as he reached the door said

“THIS IS THE LAST GOODBYE”

As he and witness walked along the road together, deceased said ” I’m going to shoot myself tonight.” Witness replied. ” Don’t talk so foolishly,” but he insisted, ” It must be done tonight.” Both sat down and for an hour witness tried to reason with him, but he repeated, ” It must be done tonight.” When he made an effort to get the gun as they moved off, deceased said, ” You can’t get the gun, and if you did I’ve got a loaded revolver.” After a hundred yards he became excited and looked fierce. He took the gun out and ran into the scrub. Witness could not catch him, so returned home,and went a quarter of a mile for the assistance of his son. Both went to Mr. Bailey’s, and word came through by Mr. W. Eastley that Cartwright had returned to witness’ residence. Witness hurried back and found Bert Cartwright with the loaded gun in his hands and eventually persuaded him to come in and have a cup of coffee and some cake. Again he became restless, would stare, and kept pulling out his watch. At ten thirty witness asked him to stay the night, but he persisted in going. Witness asked him to come tomorrow, but he would not promise. Neither would he promise to go to the pictures next night. Both men walked a few hundred yards along the road when deceased ordered witness to go back. Witness appealed to him to think of his sister and brothers and not to take his life. As they continued, witness asked him for a loan of the gun, but he refused. Then he rushed ahead, put the gun cleaner and the case on a post, stared at witness for a full minute, made a cigarette and lit it. Then he rushed up to witness, and staring at him, said, ” You know nothing. ” He took up the cleaner and case again, shook witness’ right hand, said

” GOOD BYE, OLD FELLOW, GOOD LUCK. “

and rushing away, called out, ” It will all be over before you get home ” Witness could not catch him and walked homewards. Having gone 100 yards, witness heard the report of a gun, and hastening home, got Mr. Punt to accompany him to the place whence the gunshot came.

They found Bert Cartwright dead on the side of the main road, in the shade of a bush. The gun was beside him. Mr. Punt waited while witness went to telephone to the police, who arrived about an hour later, and removed the body. Witness had asked deceased several times to explain his trouble, but the invariable reply would be. ” It is too late. ” Having known deceased all his life, witness believed him to be a temperate, steady young man. Generally speaking, deceased’s actions at ordinary times showed that he was not quite right in his mind. Witness believed that his troubles were imaginary.

Richard Punt, laborer, of Spring Creek, gave evidence of deceased having had one drink on the date of the fatality. He corroborated the evidence of the previous witness.

Mrs. Castledine, proprietress of the Rose and Crown Hotel, said that deceased was having a few drinks at the hotel on the afternoon of December 3rd, and when the other men wished him good luck, he said, ” I’ll bet you £5 I’m dead before any of you. If I don’t do it with this (a cartridge), I’ll do it with this (a revolver). Will you all come to the funeral?” Deceased stayed at the hotel for tea. He said that he was in trouble, but would not explain what the trouble was.

Mr. O. W. Cartwright, father of the deceased, deposed that his son was 27 years of age, and had been a member of the police force for three years. He was a single man stationed at Lightning Ridge, and did not wish to go back. His mother’s death, which took place two and a half years ago, had played on his mind.

Sergeant Wood deposed that he had received communication from the Police Department that the deceased was sober and trustworthy.

A verdict of suicide while temporarily insane wast recorded.

Shooting Fatality.

CONSTABLE CARTWRIGHT FOUND DEAD.

The report of a gun was heard near the Wombat road, about 13 miles from Young at about 11 o’clock on Wednesday night. Hurrying to the spot, Messrs Geo. Eastley and Potts found the dead body of Bert Watson Cartwright. A sporting gun ( double barrelled ) was near the body. The deceased man’s head was badly mutilated, obviously by a shot from the gun which, on examination, was seen to have just been discharged. Death must have been instantaneous.

Personal troubles had been known to have been a source of much worry to the deceased, who was a constable of police stationed at Lightning Hill, but at the time was visiting his relatives at Young on a holiday.

He had called for the gun, which had been left at Mr. G. Eastley‘s house, and had said that it was his intention to end it all. Mr. Eastley‘s attempts to dissuade him were of no avail.

The profoundest sympathy of many residents who have known Ben Cartwright from boyhood, are expressed for his bereaved relatives.

An inquest into the cause of the death will be held on Tuesday.

The interment was made in the Church of England cemetery to-day,

Rev. S. A. T. Champion officiating at the grave.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/122437824

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Funeral for slain Qld policeman

BRISBANE: On the day that all the headlines were about the Fitzgerald report and its recommendations for massive changes to the Queensland police force, not many would have been thinking of Constable Brett Timothy Handran, 23, who was gunned down last Thursday when he went to investigate a domestic dispute.

His funeral was held an hour after the first embargoed copies of the Fitzgerald inquiry report were handed to state Cabinet and journalists yesterday.

More than 300 police and mourners attended the 10am service.

Constable Handran was shot through the heart at a block of welfare flats in the bayside suburb of Wynnum.

The man who shot him also killed a little girl and then himself.

Four people were injured, including another officer, Constable Stephen Clarey, 24.

The Minister for Police, Russell Cooper, told the congregation, “I express deep regret at the loss of a loved one and a fellow officer.”

Among the mourners were police representatives from NSW, Victoria and the ACT. The Queensland police contingent was headed by Acting Commissioner Ron Redmond.

Some officers at yesterday’s service could not hide their frustration over Constable Handran‘s death, at a time when police morale had taken a battering.

“If only people could accept that we are proud of our job,” one officer said. “You get abused when you hand out a traffic ticket, but there are a lot a crazies running around and it’s the police who are expected to bring them in.”

Constable Handran, a single father, was attached to the Juvenile Aid Bureau. He and Constable Clarey were in Wynnum on another police matter and were the first to respond to the emergency call.

Last week, as police gathered up their equipment and prepared to leave the scene of the Wynnum shootings, one officer said, “Constable Handran will be buried on Monday, the same day the Fitzgerald report is released. Guess which story will get the biggest headlines?”

Govt blamed for shooting

BRISBANE: The Queensland Government has been criticised for not providing police with bullet-proof vests following a shooting in suburban Wynnum yesterday in which three people were killed.

A two-year-old girl and an unarmed policeman were shot dead outside a flat in Carmichael Court by a man who later turned a rifle on himself and committed suicide.

Police said the shooting was the result of a domestic dispute.

The Opposition spokesman on police affairs, Terry MacKenroth, said every police car in the state should have at least two vests in it to protect officers called to emergency situations such as yesterday’s siege.

“Mr. Cooper, along with every other Ahern Government minister, including Deputy Premier Bill Gunn and the Premier himself, must take the blame for the death of a young police officer today,” he said.

Liberal leader Angus Innes said the Government had promised two years ago to provide police with bullet-proof vests.

He said that it was only in June this year that 1400 bullet-proof vests for police had been finally approved.

“Police know that they are more likely to be killed attending a domestic disturbance than in any other area of police work,” Mr Innes said. .

“The minister for Police, Russell Cooper, said last night that he had ordered a meeting today with Acting Police Commissioner Don Braithwaite to investigate the incident.

“Police said a man, a woman and two children had gone to the Wynnum flat, occupied by the woman’s former de-facto husband, to collect some of the woman’s property.

Police believe an argument started, which resulted in the woman being stabbed several times in the back, chest and arm.

As she fled with her male companion the man in the flat fired a rifle from an upstairs bedroom window, wounding the man in the back.

Police said as the couple drove to a nearby doctor’s surgery for help, a woman neighbour apparently attempted to carry the injured woman’s two-year-old daughter to safety.

The gunman fired another shot from the bedroom window, killing the girl and injuring the woman.

They said two plain-clothed officers from the Juvenile Aid Bureau who were in the area went to investigate.

The gunman then opened fire on the officers as they left their car and 23-year-old Constable Brett Timothy Handran was shot in the back and later died in hospital.

His partner, Constable Stephen Clarey, 24, suffered a bullet graze to the head and was not expected to be detained in hospital overnight.

The woman, her male companion and the female neighbour were also being treated in hospital.

A police spokesman said when the Tactical Response Unit arrived, they were told an eight month-old baby boy was still in the flat with the gunman.

They forced entry through the kitchen and rescued the baby, who was crawling on the floor.

About 45 minutes later police again entered the flat and found the gunman dead in a bedroom with a gunshot wound to the head.

A POLICEMAN DROWNED

SYDNEY, February 18.

Constable L. Alpin was drowned in Grady’s Creek, in the Kyogle district, through slipping off a log when crossing the creek.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/179745794

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Funeral of Constable Alpin.

The funeral of the late Constable Alpin, who met his death at Grady’s Creek on Friday last, was held on Wednesday, the remains being taken

to Casino for interment. The Rev. Rogers read the Presbyterian burial service. There was a large attendance of the public while representatives of the police also attended. Deceased’s three brothers arrived on Tuesday night.

The District Coroner ( Mr. W. Amess ) concluded the inquiry on Wednesday, when a verdict was recorded that death was due to injuries received while deceased was struggling in the water.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/234666404

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The Bargo Brush Affair

( From the Empire )

EXAMINATION OF FIVE PRISONERS AS BEING ACCESSORY TO THE MURDER OF CONSTABLE RAYMOND.

Our readers will remember that eleven prisoners were concerned in the desperate ? ( fight ) at Bargo Brush on Saturday last.

One of those, James Crookwell, was committed, on Monday, by the Coroner, at Picton to take, his trial at the next assizes for the murder of Constable Raymond. Three of the prisoners were wounded, Smith in the elbow, when attempting to snatch the revolver from sergeant Zglenitski ; Slattery near the kidney, when in the act of biting constable Mitchell‘s nose, and attempting to deprive him of his firearms ; and Bland was shot in the side and arm while trying to seize constable Mitchell’s rifle. These three prisoners are in the gaol hospital, and were not in a condition to be removed, Bland being in a somewhat precarious state. Hindmarsh and Webster, who do not appear to have taken any conspicuous part in the assault, will most likely be called by the Crown for the prosecution.

The remaining five prisoners were placed under examination yesterday, in the upper room of the debtors’ prison, Darlinghurst gaol, before the Water Police Magistrate, Captain Cloete.

The names of the prisoners are John Foster, William Lee, Henry Weaver, Thomas Berriman, and John Owens. They were brought into the room in the order named, in prison dress, and leg-ironed.

Foster is a strong young man, of about 24 years of age, and has a determined look about him. Lee, who acted as spokesman, is about, an inch taller than Foster, being 5 feet 7, aged 38, and apparently very familiar with gaols, and the customary preliminaries to them. Weaver is young, sulky, tall, and such a man as can be easily persuaded to anything. Berriman is a little compact, swarthy young man about 28 years of age. Owens is something like Foster, but more intelligent. These five, of themselves, appear almost a match for the escort whom they assaulted.

They were formally charged by senior-sergeant Healey, of the Berrima police, with being accessories to the murder of the late constable Raymond, near Bargo Brush, on Saturday, the 14th April instant.

Prisoner Lee : Your Worship, may I address you before anything further is stated? will you order all the witnesses out of court ? and I should like a piece of paper and a pencil to take notes.

The Magistrate said he would comply with the request, and the prisoner was supplied with paper and pencil.

Mr Williams, Crown Solicitor, then conducted the examination, as follows:-

John Healy deposed: I am a senior sergeant of police, stationed at Berrima.

I left Berrima about 9 o’clock on Saturday morning last, having previously attended the gaol at Berrima, and received in custody eleven prisoners, to be escorted from Berrima to Darlinghurst gaol, Sydney.

The names of the prisoners were, William Lee, Thomas Berriman, John Foster, Henry Weaver, John Owens, Michael Slattery, Hindmarsh, Crookwell, Bland, Smith, and Webster.

The five prisoners now before the Court were among them.

I had with me constables Kilpatrick, Mitchell, and Raymond.

The prisoners were placed in one of Cobb’s coaches, outside the gaol door. The three constables, myself, the driver, and a Mr Whatmore accompanied the coach. I sat on the left of Mr Whatmore, who sat next to the coach driver on the box. Constable Mitchell was placed with his back towards the box, on the near side of the first seat, there being four seats inside the Coach, Constable Raymond was on one of the centre seats on the off side facing the box. Constable Kilpatrick was on the oft, or back seat, facing Mitchell, but two seats between them.

Constable Raymond, Mitchell and myself, were armed with breach loading rifles and revolvers. Constable Kilpatrick had a small carbine and revolver, all were loaded. In this way we proceeded towards Sydney.

When about ten miles from Picton, and at about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, I heard a cry like ” Hurrah ” in the conch. At the same moment I was seized from behind by both shoulders. The cry seemed to be a general cry. When I found hands forcibly upon me and an effort made to pull me back, I sprang forward, and jumped off the coach, and fell.

On recovering, I went round the near side of the coach. I then saw the prisoners Weaver, Smith, Lee, Slattery, and I think Bland surrounding and struggling with constable Mitchell. They were trying to wrest his firearms from him. They were all standing up in a cluster round him in the coach, Berriman, Crookwell and Owens, I saw had hold of constable Kilpatrick : he was on the back seat of the coach, on the same side. They were trying to wrest his carbine from him. Crookwell had hold of Kilpatrick‘s throat ; Berriman and Owens had hold of his carbine. Foster was standing up in the centre of the coach. I did not see him do anything. I did not then see constable Raymond. I was standing on the near side of the coach, with my back to the horses, and presented my revolver, and said to the prisoners Crookwell, Owens and Berriman, if they did not let go I would fire. I pulled the trigger of my rifle and the cap snapped. I then seized it by the barrel, and in striking at Smith, the stock caught the frame of the coach and broke the rifle. I saw the main body of the prisoners rush to the off-side of the coach. When I got round to face them, I then saw that constable Raymond had got out ; he had stumbled and was standing facing the coach near the hind wheel. When I came to Raymond I saw Crookwell with a revolver in his right hand. He had hold of constable Kilpatrick‘s throat with his left. I said to him ” Put down that revolver, or I’ll blow your brains out.” Prisoner Lee was hallowing out: ” Shoot the b—gers. ” Weaver cried out, ” Shoot the b—dy sergeant, ” Berriman cried out, ” Fire ! fire ! ” Directly I said to Crookwell, put down that revolver, or I’ll blow your brains out, ” he turned partly round presented the revolver towards me saying, ” You b–ger, ” at the same time firing.

At this time constable Raymond was on my right. I was between Crookwell and Raymond. I saw the explosion, and felt the lead ball whiz past my face. I returned the fire instantly with my revolver, and I believe I hit Slattery. As soon as Crookwell fired I saw the blood rushing from Raymond’s nose. He wheeled round, and tell forward, dead.

At this time the prisoners were still struggling with constables Mitchell and Kilpatrick, I observed Owens jump from the other side of the coach and run away. I followed, and told him to stand. He did not, and I fired. He immediately fell on his face on the road, and cried out ” I’m shot, for God’s sake don’t fire any more. ” I went up to him and brought him back to the coach. He was not shot.

When I got back to the coach constables Mitchell and Kilpatrick had got out of the coach. I noticed Crookwell holding up the revolver, and heard him crying out ” I surrender ! ” Several of the other prisoners were also calling out ” I surrender !” I could not tell whether any other shots were fired at this time.

I made Owens get into the coach and handcuff himself, and also the other prisoners we’re made to re-seat themselves. I then observed blood coming from Slattery and Bland. Two or three civilians came up then, one was a clergyman and they assisted Mr Whatmore and the driver to lift the body of constable Raymond on the Boot of the coach.

Raymond had never moved from the time he was shot.

After we had got Raymond on the boot of the coach, we three Constables, walked by the side of the coach until we came within about six miles of Picton, when we were met by the sergeant and a constable from the Picton police;

We proceeded on to Picton, secured the prisoners in the watch-house, and placed the body of constable William Raymond in the courthouse. He was quite dead.

When I jumped off the coach and recovered myself, I saw Hindmarsh holding up one hand and saying ” I have nothing to do with this. ” I saw Webster standing up in the coach; So far as I saw, Webster was quiet.

When we left Berrima the prisoners were handcuffed by one hand to a chain, and had leg-irons on. I produced the transmission warrant for the removal of the prisoners from Berrima to Darlinghurst. I handed this warrant over with the prisoners at Picton.

The shot that Crookwell fired was shot in the direction of Raymond.

The prisoners declined to ask any questions.

Andrew Kilpatrick deposed: I am a constable stationed at Berrima. On the 14th April I went to Berrima gaol, in company with senior-sergeant Healey and two other constables. The sergeant received charge of eleven prisoners. The five prisoners now before the Court were of that number. The sergeant was sitting on the box. I and the other constables were inside the coach. I sat on the back seat, Raymond in the centre, and Mitchell on the front seat.

When we came to within three miles of the Bargo River, On the Sydney side of Anderson’s public-house, a prisoner named Crookwell, sitting by my side, gave a shout, saying, ” Now, give it to the b–gers. ” Crookwell seized hold of my carbine, as did also prisoners Berriman and Owens, and endeavoured to wrest it from me. Crookwell then let go, and seized my revolver from the case at my waist belt.

Senior sergeant Healy came round to my side, and I shouted for him to shoot this fellow Crookwell. At this time Crookwell had just got the revolver. The other two had hold of my carbine. The sergeant presented his rifle at Crookwell, and it missed fire. He then clubbed the rifle, made a blow but struck an iron bar in the coach. He ( Healey ) then ran to the other side of the coach, at the same time drawing his revolver. Just as he got round, constable Raymond had just got a fall from a stumbling of the coach. As Raymond was straightening himself up, the sergeant came between him and Crookwell, and told Crookwell to put down the revolver. Crookwell made use of some savage expressions and fired. I saw Raymond fall and observed the blood gashing from his nose. It was with my revolver Crookwell shot him. The sergeant immediately fired in return. I cannot say which prisoner was struck, but one was. After Crookwell fired he turned to me and said ” If you don’t leave go of the carbine I’ll shoot you. ” I said, ” Shoot way. I’ll not let go. ”

He snapped the revolver at breast. As it did not explode he struck my right hand with the revolver. I then jumped out of the coach with my carbine, when I saw sergeant bringing Owens back. I could not see how constable Mitchell was getting on. When the sergeant brought Owens back, the prisoners all called ” Surrender ! we surrender ! ” and sat down in the coach, when the sergeant ordered them to put on the handcuffs. The sergeant and myself were in uniform at the time. I only observed Crookwell and Owens had been un-handcuffed. Could not say whether any of the others had been un-handcuffed.

Crookwell, Owens, Berriman and Weaver, were particularly active about me and and tried to disarm me. I heard Weaver call out ” Shoot the sergeant. “. This was when Crookwell had the revolver. Slattery also called out ” Shoot the b—dy sergeant. ”

The prisoners appeared to me to be acting in concert, and for the general purpose of effecting their escape.

When Slattery called out ” Shoot the b—dy sergeant, ” it was after Raymond had been shot by Crookwell.

I saw the body of Raymond afterwards. It was quite dead.

Prisoner Lee: Your Worship, I think it is stepping a little beyond the bounds of justice for the gentlemen prosecuting to be whispering to the sergeant who has given his evidence. I know that gentleman is conducting the case for the Crown, and he will take care to get out enough from the respective witnesses when under examination.

Mr Williams said he was asking no question but such as was proper, and taken no unfair advantage.

Mr Cloete: I will see that no injustice is done you. The prisoners declined to ask any questions.

Edward W. Mitchell; deposed: I am a mounted constable, stationed at Berrima, and formed one of an escort from Berrima to Sydney, in charge of senior sergeant Healey. The prisoners were Foster, Lee, Bland, Smith, Weaver, Slattery, Hindmarsh, Berriman, Webster, Crookwell and Owners. We were all in of Cobb and Co.’s coaches, the sergeant on the box. I, Raymond and Mitchell were inside the coach. I sat with my back to the box with two prisoners on my left. Raymond was on the third seat on my left front, with three prisoners on his left. Kilpatrick was on the fourth seat, facing me, with two prisoners on his right. Crookwell sat next to Kilpatrick.

When about 400 yards on the Sydney side of Anderson’s public-house; the prisoners made a sudden rush ; some stood up. I saw two of the prisoners jump up and put their hands above the cloth covering of the coach, and seized the sergeant and endeavoured to pull him backward into the coach. Slattery and Weaver were the two men.

The sergeant got away from them. Simultaneously with seizing the sergeant, three of the prisoners seized me. Foster, Lee and Smith seized me. Smith caught me by the throat. Foster endeavoured to force me back, as nears as I can recollect, by throwing his body on me. Lee took hold of the rifle and endeavoured to disarm me. While I was struggling with these prisoners, I saw sergeant Healey coming round the side of the coach. He covered Smith and Lee with his rifle. I heard the cap snap, and the butt of the rifle swing against the coach.

A minute or so after I said ” By G—, if you don’t let go, I’ll fire ! ” They did not let go, and I fired. The rifle was pointed towards the prisoner, Bland, who, at this time, had hold of the rifle, with the others. Bland was wounded on the side and arm by the contents of my rifle. Immediately after this I was seized by the prisoners Weaver and Slattery. Slattery seized me by the throat, and by the hair of my head, and got my nose to his mouth when at that moment, he received a ? and staggered back. Weaver caught me by the body ? ? maintained hold of the rifle. While I was struggling with the remaining three, Foster took hold of my left arm, and endeavoured to pull it away from the pouch which contained my revolver. I was holding and covering my revolver pouch. Lee and Smith made an effort to pull the revolver out of the pouch, but they did not succeed.

About half a minute after Slattery was shot, I heard a remark that some one was wounded. A number of them then called out ” We’ll surrender. ” I was so occupied with the prisoners near me that I could not see what constable Raymond was doing. I just caught a glimpse of Owen escaping from the hind wheel of the coach. I did not notice Hindmarsh, nor Webster; they were away from me. After they called out ” We’ll surrender, ” I got out of the coach, and ran round to the other side, when I there saw constable Raymond lying dead on his face. I observed a gunshot wound on the left side of his nose, just below the eye. I immediately re-loaded my rifle.

The body of constable Raymond was put on the footboard. The prisoners were secured in the coach. We proceeded to Picton and on the way met Senior sergeant Zglenitski, and another constable.

We placed the prisoners in the Picton watch house, and the body of constable Raymond in the Court house. The prisoners were secured at Berrima on a marching chain by handcuffs, and each was leg ironed. The only man I saw free from the chain was Owens. In this attempt to escape the prisoners to me appeared to act in concert, as if they were one man. The prisoners declined to ask questions.

Police sergeant Zglenitski and two other witnesses having to be examined, the further hearing of the case was adjourned until Monday, 30th Instant, at 2 o’clock. o’clock.

The Late Sergeant P. Leonard.

NOTED POLICE OFFICER PASSES.

Great regret was felt over the death of Sergeant Patrick S. Leonard, Chief Police Prosecutor of the metropolitan district, which occurred at his late residence, Milford Street, Randwick, on Friday morning last.

Poignancy is added to the death of this fine police officer by the fact that he was on the eve of his promotion to an inspectorship — in fact, he was about to be presented with the whip that accompanies elevation to that rank.

The late Sergeant joined the service in 1900, and was stationed at Darlinghurst.

A hard-working and efficient policeman, he soon attracted the attention of his superiors, and he won quick promotion, attaining the rank of first-class sergeant in 1923. He was police prosecuting officer in the suburbs for 10 years until his transfer to the Central Police Court over a year ago.

Of a courteous and genial nature, he enjoyed the friendship of all sections of the community, and the esteem of all his fellow officers and subordinates.

Genuine expressions of regret at his passing were made at the Central Police Court on Friday. Mr. Jennings, S.M., said that those who represented defendants had been well satisfied with his fairness in all proceedings. It was a sad end to a distinguished career.

On behalf of the legal profession, Mr. Parker and Mr. Lionel Dare paid tributes to his conscientiousness. He was a hard man to fight, said Mr. Parker, but he fought fairly. He was big in stature and mind, and it would be hard to replace him.

For the police, Sergeant Cummings, prosecutor, extended sympathy to the relatives. He understood that Sergeant Leonard was on the eve of promotion.

The Commissioner of Police ( Mr. J. Mitchell ) said that it was with extreme regret that he had heard of Sergeant Leonard‘s death. ” He was one of the ablest officers in the service, and had he lived he would have reached high police rank. He also rendered excellent service as a member of the committee of the police carnival for hospitals. ”

Sergeant Leonard, who succumbed to pneumonia, was 50 years of age, and a devout Catholic.

Requiem Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father T. O’Loughlin, M.S.C, at the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Avoca-street, Randwick, after which the funeral cortege left the church for the Randwick cemetery.

The procession, which was officially a police funeral, attracted a very representative gathering.

Squads of police, preceded by the Police Band, marched under Inspector Maze, and members of the Metropolitan Fire Brigades, under District-Inspector Grimmond.

The pall-bearers were Inspector Maze, Sergeants Roser, Dean, MacDougall, Twist, Jones and Maher. Many and beautiful were the wreaths conveyed.

The principal mourners were: Messrs. Charles, Thomas, and Roger Leonard ( brothers ), Misses Annie and Cissie. Leonard, and Mrs. Delahunty ( sisters ), and Miss Mary Roche, to whom Sergeant Leonard was to have been married.

Amongst those present were: The Chief Secretary ( Hon. C. C. Lazzarini, M.L.A.), Inspector Spyer ( representing the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mitchell ), Mr. Cruise ( representing the Minister for Justice ), Mr. A. Bishop ( representing the Crown Law Department ), the Speaker ( Hon. J Dooley, M.L.A.), Supt. G. Mitchell, Supt. Mankey, Chief of C.I.B., Inspectors Lynch, Delaney, Lindfield, and Kersley; Det.-Sgt. Lynch, Det.-Sgt. Coombes, Det.-Sgt. Jones ( South Africa ), Det. Sgt. Kennedy, Det.-Sgt. Smith, Det.-Sgt. Miller, Sergeant Nicholls and Constable Carroll Ashfield, Detective Gallagher, Sergeant T. O’Brien, ex-Sergeants Duncan, Hay and Toohey, ex-Inspector Fullarton, C. Thackeray ( ” Police News ” ), Mr. B. Fortescue ( general secretary, Police Association ), Detective Comans, ex-Sergeant Hayes, Sergeant Lane, and Sergeants Philpott and Maples ( Redfern ), Station-officer Beare ( representing Fire Brigades’ Hospital Carnival and Art Union ), Messrs. R. D. Meagher, W. Niland, and T. Arkins ( solicitors ), R. O’Halloran, B. Greig, S. R. Alldis, Ms.L.A., Hon. J. Tyrrell, M.L.C., P. Conroy ( vice-president ), and W. Carey ( secretary, A.L.P.), Aldermen M. L’Estrange ( Mayor of Mascot ), R. H. McDonald ( Redfern ), and D. Mulcahy ( Waterloo ), Messrs. Rafferty ( assistant secretary, R.A.S.), T. Windrum ( Rockhampton), E. Ward, P. Fennessy, D. Capice, W. O’Connor, R. Allen, A. Agnew, L. R. Mordant, and A. R. Pope ( Catholic Club ), J. McCann, W. Campbell, Hartnett, H. Kirkland, W. McNamara ( secretary, Friendly Society Dispensary ), P. Rynn, and F. Haron. — R.I.P.

The Late Sergeant P. S. Leonard.

The funeral on Saturday afternoon of First-class Sergeant Patrick Stephen Leonard, senior public prosecutor at the Central Police Court, was one of the largest ever seen at Randwick. The funeral took place from the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, after Requiem Mass, which was celebrated by the Rev. Father O’Loughlin, M.S.C. The cortege, which was about a mile long, was headed by squads of police and firemen.

The chief mourners were Messrs. Charles, Thomas, and Roger Leonard (brothers), Misses Annie and Cissie Leonard and Mrs. Delahunty (sisters), and Miss Mary Agnes Roche. The pall-bearers were Inspector Maze, Sergeants Roser, Dean, Jones, McDougall, Twiss, and Maher. Others present included Messrs. J. Dooley ( Speaker of the Legislative Assembly ), C. C. Lazzarini ( Chief Secretary ), S. G. Cruise ( representing Mr. W. J. McKell ( Minister for Justice ), A. Bishop ( representing the Crown Law Department ), J. Tyrrill, M.L.C., R. Greig, M.L.A. ( Chairman of Committees ), R. O’Halloran, and S. R. Alldis, Ms L.A., Inspector Spyer ( representing Mr. J. Mitchell, Commissioner of Police ), Superintendent T. Mankey ( Chief of C.I.D.), Inspectors . Lynch, Devlin, Lindfield, Delaney, Mackay and Kersley, Detective Sergeants Lynch, Coombes, Jones ( of South Africa ), Kennedy, Smith, Miller and Sergeant Nicholls ; Station Officer Beare ( Fire Brigades Hospital Carnival and Art Union Committee ) Mr. W. J. Camphin, S.M., Alderman L’Estrange ( Mayor of Mascot ), Mulcahy .( Mayor of Waterloo ), and R. H. McDonald ( Redfern ), Messrs. R. D. Meagher, W. M. Niland, J. C. J. Ryan, and T. Arkins; Constables Carroll, Ashfield, Detective Gallagher, Sergeants T. O’Brien, Law, and Philpott, ex Sergeants Duncan, Hay, Toohey and Hayes; ex-Inspector Fullarton, Messrs. B. Fortescue ( secretary, Police Association of which deceased was a foundation member ), C. Thackeray ( editor, ‘Police News’ ), R. Moyes, J. J. Hartnett, G. H. Brown, P. Ryan J. Morrissey, T. Windrum, W. Carey ( secretary A.L.P. ), E. Ward, E. Roche, F. Conroy ( vice-president A.L.P. ), H. Kirkland, C. J. Rafferty ( assistant secretary, Royal Agricultural Society ), G. Butler Gye ( representing “Evening News” ), R. Higgins, Captain Hansen, T. Birrell, A. Westphal, C. Tate, W. Adlum, P. O’Loughlin ( president of the Catholic Club ), S. A. Williams ( treasurer of the club ), P. Burns ( vice-president ), C. G. Griffiths ( hon. secretary ), H. Washington ( manager ), A. H. Pope, J. Fraser, A. Agnew ( Gehring and Co.); W. Campbell, J. McCann, W. J. McEncroe, W. Weekes, W. Paterson, W. McCarthy, A. Sharp P. Sharp, R. Campbell, J. McGrath, J. Ryan J. S. Ogan, W. McNamara ( secretary, Friendly Society Dispensary ),. J. Voney, B. Acton, G. Workman, H. Moroney, M. Swiney, J. Sheehan, E. McDonald B. Mahoney, F. Farrell ( hon. . secretary, Catholic Returned Soldiers’ Association ), J. Killeen, F. Conroy, J. Williams ( Dewar and Co.), A. McNiven, F. Haron, L. R. Mordant, P. Fennessy, and R. Allen.

DEATH OF SGT. P. LEONARD.

The death of Sergeant Patrick Leonard, chief police prosecutor at the Central Police Court, occurred suddenly yesterday morning, from pneumonia, at his residence in Milford street, Randwick. Sergeant Leonard was 50 years of age.

Mr. Jennings, C.S.M., and Messrs. W. Parker and Lionel Dare, on behalf of the legal profession, paid sincere tributes to the late police officer.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/16303092

DEATH OF SGT. LEONARD

Chief Police Prosecutor SYDNEY. Friday

Sergeant P. S. Leonard, chief police prosecutor at the Central Police Court, died to-day from pneumonia.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/163601740