CHARGED WITH BRIBERY

VIN. DUNN FINED £5.

Vincent Andrew Dunn appeared before Mr. Parker, P.M., at the Leeton Court of Petty Sessions on Tuesday on a charge of using indecent language in a public place, and further, with having offered a bribe to Constable Walsh in an endeavor to induce him to depart from the course of duty.

On the first charge he was fined £3, in default 21 days hard labor, and for the attempted bribery, £5, or one month. Time was allowed to pay.

Giving evidence in the first charge Constable Walsh said that Dunn was speaking in a loud voice, his words being audible to a number of people amongst who were women. He told him several times to go away, before he eventually arrested him.

Dunn pleaded guilty to the language charge, the words complained of being shown him on a piece of paper — though he was not sure they were the exact words he used. The language arose out of a conversation with his step brother as a result of a motor collision.

Giving evidence on the bribery charge, Constable Walsh said he had Dunn under arrest for indecent language, and when near the old school grounds, defendant stopped and said to him ” you want to remember that I have a wife and family. Here is a pound note, let me go!” He then handed him the pound note ( produced ). Witness said to Dunn, ” no, I won’t let you go- This is bribery, and I am going to charge you.” He took Dunn to the Police Station and charged him. Defendant said in reply to the charge. ” I know nothing about it.” Witness communicated with Sergeant Thomson, who came over a little later. Dunn said to the Sergeant, ” what am I charged with?” The latter said ” Constable Walsh has already charged you.” Dunn said ” I am pleading guilty to nothing.” Sergeant Thomson said ” nobody is asking you to plead.’ Dunn said ” does the constable know the number of the pound note?’ Sergeant Thomson said ” this is the note the constable handed me, and I am going to give you the number of it.’ Dunn said to the sergeant as he was going out the door: ” You have me again. You have put it over this time, sergeant!”

To Mr. Atkins, who defended the accused witness said they were joined by Constable Buck on the way to the police station, but Dunn did not draw the latter’s attention to a pound note which he ( Constable Walsh ) had in his hand. Dunn did not speak to Constable Buck at all.

” Did it not strike you,” asked Mr. Atkins, ” that you needed some corroboration for your story?”

Witness. ” There was no-one else present when it took place.”

Mr. Atkins: You are quite confident in giving your evidence, and the defendant has no chance against you ?

Witness: I am giving my evidence in a truthful manner.

” Did it not strike you ” persisted Mr. Atkins, ” that as a conscientious

police officer, you should have obtained some corroboration?”

Witness: ” I don’t know.”

Mr. Atkins: Didn’t you have your opportunity in the presence of the sergeant to obtain a statement from Dunn?

Witness: He refused to make any statement.

In reply to Sergeant Thomson witness said he remembered Dunn saying after he was charged: ” does the constable know the number of the note?”

Sergeant Thomson gave evidence that when he went across to the station and saw Dunn he wanted to know with what he was charged, and he said ” Constable Walsh has already charged you. He said ” I want you to tell me.” He denied owning the note which Constable Walsh had, and which he was charged with offering as a bribe. He gave a copy of the number to defendant and another to Constable Walsh.

Mr. Atkins objected to this number being tendered as evidence.

The Magistrate said it was not very material, but he would uphold Mr. Atkins’ objection as it was not the proper way of taking a number.

Sergeant Thompson continuing his evidence said that Dunn remarked to him: ” You have got me again, sergeant. ” You are putting this over me.”

Mr. Atkins: Do you remember having a conversation with Dunn opposite my office in Wade Avenue?

Sergeant Thomson: Yes.

Mr. Atkins: Am I correct in saying that you intimated that you were going to get him one of these days?

Witness: No such thing.

Mr. Atkins: Didn’t you say to him, I missed you last time, but I’ll get you next time.

Witness: No such thing.

Mr: Atkins:, You knew when you were consulted by Constable Walsh that Dunn was denying the pound note?

Witness : I didn’t know anything of the kind.

Mr. Atkins: You did not attempt to get any corroboration of Constable Walsh‘s evidence here to-day?

Witness: When the man was charged it would not be fair to him to start a cross examination.

He denied that he did that in other cases. In further reply to Mr. Atkins, witness said that it did not strike him that he should get corroboration of Constable Walsh‘s bribery charge, because he believed the constable who was one of the most reliable officers he had ever came in contact with.

Witness added that he believed in fair play, and did not want to interfere with a man after he had been charged.

Dunn, who pleaded not guilty, entered the witness box and denied the statements of Constable Walsh, and said that he never gave the pound note which had been tendered as evidence — or any pound note.

Constable Walsh arrested him in the main street of Leeton, and when they got to the M.I.D. corner the former said to him, ” Who owns that lorry?” meaning one concerned in a slight collision.

He ( Dunn ) said ” I own it,’ and Constable Walsh said ” a mongrel b_____d like you couldn’t own it.” The constable also said ” you are a b_____d, Dunn, bred and born. You are a disgrace to the parents who reared you.”

Witness replied: ” I have to take it.”

When they came to the corner of the Court House, added Dunn, Constable Walsh had something in his hand — a note.

Just then a mounted policeman came up, and he drew the attention to the money in the constables hand.

He said ” I see nothing. ” In reply to Mr. Atkins Dunn, said he realised that he was on oath, but could swear positively that he never gave the Constable a pound.

When he called on the mounted constable to assist him and he refused, he never said any more.

To Sergeant Thomson, Dunn said that as far as he knew he had not spoken to Constable Walsh before in his life, and never heard him use language like that complained of.

Sergeant Thomson asked Dunn to explain why it was that every time he gave evidence against a constable he always alleged that they made use of filthy language.

Dunn said that he did not remember that he ever did.

” Let me refresh your memory, ” said Sergeant Thomson. ” You said that Constable Walsh used filthy language.”

Sergeant Thomson: ” You are not very friendly disposed towards the police are you?”

Defendant: ” I don’t think I’m too friendly with you.”

Sergeant Thomson: Never mind about me. I am no bad friend of yours. But the police in general, you have no time for them, have you?

Defendant: They are all the same to me. I have no ill feelings towards the police. I said you were against me.”

Sergeant Thomson : That is your superstition. Why did you say, he added, ” that I was trying to put it over you?”

Defendant: You told me before that you would get me.

Sergeant: Where?

Defendant: In front of Mr. Atkins’ office.

Sergeant: There was a man on the road, standing with you, why didn’t you get him as a witness?

Defendant did not reply.

Sergeant Thomson: How could I put it over you on the bribery charge when I was not there? When I came to let you out, you accused me of putting it over you. Did you make any complaint about Constable Walsh using filthy language? asked Sergeant Thomson.

Defendant: I was not game.

Sergeant: Do you want His Worship to believe that?

I do. It is true.

Defendant further admitted that he got the number of the note, but said nothing about it.

Joseph Hubert Buck ( a mounted constable stationed at Leeton ) denied that Dunn had called on him to witness that Constable Walsh had a pound note in his hand.

To Mr. Atkins, he said he never heard him saying anything.

Mr. Atkins asked for an acquittal on the grounds that there had been insufficient corroboration of bribery.

The Magistrate, however, in convicting, said that he accepted the evidence of the police.

It would not be possible to get corroboration, as these things did not happen when there were other people about.

He expressed the opinion that Dunn had gone out of his way to cast aspersions on an honorable body of men.

He had charged the police with using language unworthy of the force. He did not believe Dunn’s evidence.

“HE AIMED THE GUN AT MY HEAD”

” THE ACCUSED IS MY BROTHER ”

TUMUT MAN FACES SERIOUS CHARGE

A SENSATIONAL story was unfolded at the Tumut Police court on Monday last, when two brothers were the main figures in an extraordinary case.

Edward John McInerney, 54 years, a retired farmer, of Tumut Plains was charged before Messrs. R. L. Blakeney and Thomas Wilkinson, J’s. P., that he at Tumut Plains, near Tumut, on the 13th June, 1932, did attempt to discharge a loaded gun at Frederick Denis McInerney, with intent to murder the said Frederick McInerney.

Sergeant ( 1st class ) Peter Stewart prosecuted.

Mr. McKenzie appeared for the defence.

After hearing evidence accused was committed for trial at the Gundagai Quarter Sessions on the 21st instant.

The evidence told of a brother’s quarrel, and such statements as,

“He aimed the gun at my head, and I heard the trigger click,” were made by one party.

Allan Royal Taylor, police constable, residing at Tumut, deposed : At 10a.m., 13th inst I was on duty in Wynyard-street, Tumut, and from something heard, in company with Constable Buck and Frederick McInerney, I proceeded to the residence of Jack McInerney, at Tumut Plains; this was the residence of the accused.

I followed Constable Buck into kitchen at the rear of the house where I saw Mrs. McInerney and the accused sitting there.

I heard Constable Buck say to accused I believe there has been a row out here this morning, what happened?

The accused said “Fred was trying to drive the cattle past the house, and I went out to stop him.

” I TOOK THE GUN TO FRIGHTEN “HIM.”

I heard Constable Buck say, “Was the gun loaded. He replied, “No.”

I then said to accused, ” Was there anybody else there?” He said, “Reg was about,” meaning Reg Barham. I said, “Where is he now?” His brother Frederick said, “He is down the paddock.” Fred McInerney was present the whole time. I said, “Can you get him?” He said, “He is coming.”

When he arrived, I said to him ( this was Reg Barham ), “Did you see what happened?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “Where were you?” He said, “I was a little way down the paddock.” I said, “What did happen?” He said, ”Fred was trying to drive the cattle past and Jack tried to stop him.’ He said he took a gun. I said, “Did you see him with the gun?” He said, “I saw him point it at him.” I said; “Did you hear it click?” He said, “No.” I said, “Was the gun loaded?” He said; “Yes.” I said, “What became of the cartridges?”

I produce the cartridges. ( Ex. A ).

I examined the cartridges and saw where one cap had been struck. The cartridges were fully loaded.

Constable Buck handed me a gun, which I now produce. ( Ex. B ).

I have had considerable experience with guns. I examined the nipple on the left hand side, and found that it had been recently struck by the hammer. The gun was in two pieces when I examined it. By means of the hammer striking the nipple it automatically discharges the cartridges. The accused was present during the whole of the conversation.

I can tell by the mark on the nipple that it had been recently struck by the hammer. The hammer strikes the nipple on the left hand side. This would have a tendency not to discharge the cartridge.

To Mr. McKenzie: When I handled the gun there was a lot of dirt on it. The hammers have got dirt and grass on them. The gun was in two pieces when I first saw it.

Joseph Hubert Buck, police constable, residing at Tumut, deposed: About 10 a.m. this day ( Monday ), I was interviewed by Mr. Fred McInerney, who told me something. Acting under instructions from Sergt. Stewart, and in company with Constable Taylor and Fred MçInerney I went to Tumut Plains and there saw the defendant. I said to him, “I believe there has been some trouble out here this morning.” Defendant replied, “Yes.” I said, “What happened?” Defendant said, “Fred was driving his cows past my house this morning and I went out to stop him.” I said, “What did you do?” He replied, “Fred picked up a stick and

” I WENT INTO THE HOUSE AND “GOT THE SHOT GUN.”

I said, “What did you get it for.” He said, “I wanted to frighten him.” I said, “Was it loaded?” He replied, “No.”

Another man then came up. I said, “What is your name?” He replied, “Reg Barham.” I said, Do you work for Mr. Fred McInerney?” He replied, “Yes.” I said Did you see anything take place out here this morning?” He replied, Yes.” I said, “What happened?” He said, “I saw Fred McInerney driving his cows past Jack’s house.

“JACK CAME OUT AND POINTED “A SHOT GUN AT FRED.”

He said Fred then dived at Jack’s legs, and they were struggling on the ground when he reached them. I took the shot gun from out of Jack’s hands and opened it and found two cartridges. I said to accused, “This is a very serious matter, if the shot gun had gone off your

“BROTHER MIGHT HAVE “BEEN KILLED.”

I said, “What do you keep the shot gun for?” He replied, “Because if I had to go and get cartridges whilst the crows were outside, they would be gone by the time I had it loaded.’ I said, “In that case you must have known that the shot gun was loaded when you pointed it at your brother.” Accused replied, “If I had wanted to shoot my brother, I could have done so whilst he was coming up on me.’

I said, “According to your brothers statement, and the fact that the hammer had hit the cartridge in the shot gun, you did pull the trigger.” Defendant made no reply. I then said to Fred McInerney, “What do you want us to do in this matter?” He replied,

“I WISH TO GIVE HIM IN CHARGE.”

I cautioned defendant, and he made no reply.

He was then taken to the Tumut police station, where he was handed over to Sergt. Stewart.

To Mr. McKenzie: The gun was in two pieces when I saw it; the left hand nipple had been struck by the hammer. The nipple was out of the breach. I noticed quite a lot of dirt on the hammers. I also noticed that it was a pretty old gun.

To the Police: The nipple on the left hand barrel was out. If the nipple was struck by the hammer it would cause it to remain down.

To the Bench: I found the gun behind the door in the kitchen. It was standing in a dark corner.

To the Police: I examined the two cartridges ( produced Ex. A ). I found that the nipple of the gun had struck one cap, the cartridge had not exploded.

Frederick Denis McInerney, farmer, of Tumut Plains, deposed: The accused is my brother. He resides with my mother, about 150 yards from where I reside. About 9.30 a.m. this day ( Monday ), I was driving my milking cows past accused’s house. When about 20 yards from his house; accused came out with something in his hand. I told him to

CLEAR IN OUT OF THE ROAD

and let me get my cows past. He then ran into my mother’s house, where he resides, and came out with an old double barrel shot gun. I ran up to him. I did not think is was loaded. I caught him by the legs. When I got about five yards from him

HE AIMED THE GUN AT MY HEAD AND I HEARD THE TRIGGER CLICK

I then rushed and caught him by the legs, threw him on the ground, and I was holding him with one hand and trying to get the gun with the other hand. While I was struggling I opened the gun and saw a cartridge in the barrel closest to me. Reg Barham, a man working for me, ran up and took the gun from the two of us.

Accused called out to Barham, Bring that gun back.” My brother had previously objected to me driving the cows past the place. He has no authority to do so. The property where the cows go, is owned by me. I have not given my brother any occasion to assault me, and only disputes have been over financial business. not of great importance.

After he got up, he went inside and came out with something else in his hand. I was present when Constables Taylor and Buck visited the accused this morning ( Monday ). I was not present during the whole time they were there. I didn’t know where the gun was. The gun used, is the gun now produced. It has been in the home 40 or 50 years.

To the Bench; It is over a month ago since I had words with my brother, it was over money matters. I generally eat out a paddock with the cattle. It is over a month ago since accused objected to me taking the cattle past the house. When struggling with my brother. I opened the gun. I distinctly heard the gun click. Reg Barham broke the gun when he took it from us. I am not of a quarrelsome nature.

To Mr. McKenzie: I had a stick in my hand which I was driving the cows with. I am quite sure my brother hurried into the house — he ran in. He went quicker than a walk. When I was about 30 yards away I told him to clear out. When he came out with the gun I ran up towards him. I did not stop to say anything to him.

To the Police: When I told accused to clear out he was endeavouring to block the cows from passing.

To the Bench: I picked up the stick before I saw accused.

Reginald James Barham, dairy hand in the employ of Frederick Denis McInerney, residing at Tumut Plains, deposed: I was employed by Frederick Denis McInerney. This morning ( Monday ), I saw my employer driving cows away from the milking yards. He was taking them across the road towards a paddock he owns. I know the accused. He ( my employer ) had to pass accused’s home. Accused came out and tried to stop the cows. He was singing out to a dog. He was right in the front of the cows. I am not sure whether he had a stick. The cows ran back towards the milking yards. I saw Frederick McInerney run over towards accused. The accused ran into the house. Frederick McInerney sang out to me to bring the cows back again. He came down to help me drive the cows past the house. By that time the accused had come out of the house again,

CARRYING A DOUBLE SHOT GUN

in his arms. We were fairly close about 30 yards from accused. Jack pointed the gun at Fred. He pointed gun towards him, I am not sure if it was pointed at him. Fred ran through the water hole. Just as he got to accused he ducked. He was carrying a stick. He caught accused round the back of the knees and

THREW HIM.

I saw them fall. They were lying on the ground not struggling. I went up to them and got hold of the gun, and took it away from them. Fred McInerney said, “Take it home, Reg. Accused said, “Don’t take it home.” I opened the breech. The gun

WAS LOADED IN BOTH BARRELS.

I extracted the cartridges from the gun. I have examined the two cartridges. The gun produced is the gun they had. I broke the gun and threw it away. Accused came down and picked up the gun and took it into the house. I saw him. When accused and my employer got on their feet, my employer and myself went down to the cows. We made a second attempt to drive the cattle past and accused again came out of the house

HE HAD AN AXE IN HIS HAND.

We let the cows go and I went on with my work.

To the Bench: I am quite sure the gun was closed when I picked it up. I had the two cartridges in my possession until the police came out. I did not look at them. I just pulled them straight out of the gun and put them in my pocket. I did not start the cows from the yards. Fred McInerney had a stick when he started the cows the first time, but dropped it when he ran. I have never heard any disagreement between the brothers.

To Mr. MacKenzie: The water hole is practically mud, it is shallow. Fred McInerney had a stick in his hand at the time. To the Police: Accused was about ten yards from Fred McInerney when he pointed the gun at him. I saw him raise the gun and point it.

To the Bench: When accused and Fred McInerney were on the ground I did not hear anything. They were not struggling.

Accused was committed to stand his trail at the Gundagai Quarter Sessions on June 21st, 1932.

CHIEFLY PERSONAL

— Constable Joe H. Buck, of Tumut, is away at Yass on a week’s leave.

ABOUT  PEOPLE

Constable Joe Buck, from Ivanhoe, and now holidaying at Tumut, was admitted to the Tumut and District Hospital on Wednesday night, having developed a temperature and sore throat.

NEWS ABOUT PEOPLE

Constable Joe Buck, who has been holidaying in Tumut for some weeks, returned to Ivanhoe on Friday.

(5882) Police Department,

Commissioner’s Office,

Sydney, 7th September, 1935.

INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTER-HOUSES.

BY virtue of an authority vested in me by an Order of His Excellency the Governor-in-Council, I have appointed the undermentioned member of the Police Force as Inspector of Slaughter-houses, and of cattle intended to be slaughtered:—

Constable Joseph Hubert Buck; Station— White Cliffs; Police District for which appointed— Mitchell.

N.B.— It is to be understood that the appointment of members of the Police Force as Inspectors of Slaughter houses will cease on their leaving the Service.

WM. J. MACKAY, Commissioner of Police.

(6700) Department of Labour and Industry,

Sydney, 18th October, 1935.

RURAL WORKERS1 ACCOMMODATION ACT.

HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has been pleased to appoint the undermentioned members of the Police Force to be Inspectors to carry out the provisions of the Rural Workers’ Accommodation Act in the districts specified in connection with their respective names.

H. M. HAWKINS.

Constable 1st Class James Collins; Station.— Michelago; Police District— Queanbeyan.

Constable Joseph Hubert Buck; Station— White Cliffs; Police District— Mitchell.

Constable Ralph Moore Cravigan; Station— Bendemeer; Police District— Armidale.

Constable Matthew Colin Sullivan; Station— Marrar; Police District— Wagga.

Suggestion For Broken Hill

A picturesque phase of police patrol will be introduced to the Broken Hill district if the suggestion of Superintendent Collings, who is staying at the Grand Hotel, is adopted.

Superintendent Collings is of the opinion that a travelling police station in the form of a motor lorry fitted with first aid and ambulance equipment, accommodation for prisoners, and any other equipment that could be of service in the pastoral country, would be a boon to pastoralists and residents of sparsely populated areas.

Two such travelling police stations have already proved their worth in the Riverina district, Superintendent Collings said.

Two specially chosen men would live on the lorry, and would have a roving commission. One of the men would be an experienced stockman, and the other an efficient policeman.

Their duty would be to patrol pastoral areas to detect breaches of the law and to render assistance to outback people generally.

Both men would be trained in first aid, and the lorry would be so fitted that it could be used, in cases of emergency for sickness or accident as an ambulance.

A chain stapled to the lorry with a handcuff on one end would facilitate the carrying of a prisoner. If it became necessary to carry more prisoners, they could be securely fastened by being handcuffed to the first prisoner.

BENEFIT TO PASTORALISTS

The patrols in the Riverina were extremely popular with pastoralists, said Superintendent Collings, and pastoralists he had met in the Broken Hill district viewed the proposal favorably.

Stock thieves could be detected more easily, as the men in charge of the travelling station would not be fettered with office and routine duties as men at fixed stations were.

The only office work that they would be required to do would be the keeping of a log of their movements, petrol consumption, etc., and the making out of charges against any offenders they might bring to book.

It was impossible for men at present outback stations to give all the attention to their districts that was necessary.

They had relief inquiries to attend to, acted as the clerk of petty sessions and had numerous other duties which kept them indoors.

” The present stations were built when horse mounted policemen were in vogue, and it was then a hard day’s ride from one station to another, ” Superintendent Collings said.

” The New South Wales Police Force is moving with the times, and such means are necessary if we are to keep abreast with the altered conditions.”

MOBILE POLICE STATION.

Services for Outback.

CONSTABLE MAY PERFORM MARRIAGES.

BROKEN HILL, Thursday.

Under a new plan introduced by the police, Constable Buck, of White Cliffs, will set out shortly for inland districts virtually as a travelling police station.

He will be vested with the same powers as a Clerk of Petty Sessions and in addition to registering dogs and granting travelling stock permits, he will also be empowered to perform marriages and register births and deaths.

He will be equipped with a buckboard fitted with every possible convenience and may be away from the centres of population for many days at a time.

Constable Buck will in fact bring police station, court-house and medical aid to the back door of the graziers of this widely-flung district. This will make it unnecessary for graziers and others to travel up to 100 miles to obtain licences and other services at a police station.

Although born in England, Constable Buck is a typical bushman and has had wide experience in the outback country. His outfit will include tanks to carry 30 gallons of petrol, two gallons of kerosene, 6½ gallons of oil and eight gallons of water.

He will also carry a first aid outfit in case of accidents and other emergencies.

Constable Buck has received a course of instruction in first aid and will be sent to Sydney later for a fresher course.

NO STOCK PERMIT

MAN FINED £5

Frederick Brown, of Nocatunga Station, was fined £5, with 8/- costs, by Mr. A. B. Collins, S.M., in the Police Court today for being in charge of 32 head of horses on the Tibooburra Road without a travelling stock permit.

The defendant was seen by Constable Buck, of the travelling police station.

Mr. Collins said that there was no excuse for the defendant as he was a recognised drover and should know the necessity for a permit.

Man Hunt Near Menindee

MUCH ALARM AMONG STATION PEOPLE

TELEPHONE conversations between local police officers and those concerned in the chase for Joseph Douglas Gerricke (40), who was shot near Wentworth on Sunday, have established that the dead man and the man reported as having been seen in Menindee District last week and at the week end are not identical.

Police officers and station owners are continuing the search for the second “strange” man.

Gerricke came, from South Australia, and had been chased by the South Australian police for a week. He wounded a railway ganger at McDonald’s Hill more than a week ago.

Last Thursday a report was received that a man, apparently demented, had been seen at Gum Lake siding on the Sydney line beyond Menindee, and about 122 miles from Broken Hill.

The man was described as being tall and dark with a black beard, and was stated to be armed with a rifle. This was similar to the description given of the maniac whom the South Australian police were chasing.

On Monday morning Mr. W. Waites, of Boola Boolka Station, in the Menindee district, reported that a man answering the description of the one seen at Gum Lake was sighted near Sayer’s Lake, about seven miles further on.

Constable Buck, of the “travelling police station,” and Sgt. Fardy, of Menindee, began the search at the week-end, and following the report from Wentworth considered it may be the same man. The description of Gerricke, however, is not the same.

Gerricke, who was shot, was 6ft in height, of very strong build, and had long brown hair and along dark beard. Round his waist was a cord sack tied with a piece of rope. This covered his badly torn trousers. In place of shoes, which had worn out, he had pieces of rubber tubing tied with wire.

“NOT IDENTICAL”

Police officers at Wentworth stated that the two men could not possibly be identical as black trackers and South Australian police officers were on the trail of Gerricke all the time, and he could not have got so far away from them.

Since the man was seen at Sayer’s Lake on Sunday no further reports have been received of him, but station owners have been warned. They are co-operating with the police officers in the search.

The “travelling police station” is hot equipped with wireless, but has equipment which enables telephone contact to be made from any part of a telephone line. No reports have been received from the police since yesterday.

TRAVELLING POLICE STATION WORK

47,000 MILES COVERED IN TWO YEARS OF SERVICE

MORE than 47,000 miles were covered by Constable J. Buck, of the Travelling Police Station, during the first two years of the operation of this novel service to the people of the West Darling district.

He returned from Sydney about a month ago with a new utility which has already traversed more than 3000 miles in the district.

The new utility, like the old one, is fitted with special tanks for carrying water, extra petrol, etc., and has a complete first aid outfit, and carries all books usually attached to a New South Wales Police Station.

A portable transceiver set is to be installed in the new utility truck, and this will greatly assist the work of Constable Buck. It will be linked with the network of stations operating with the Flying Doctor Wireless Base at Round Hill.

Constable Buck patrols the areas between Menindee and Ivanhoe to Tilpa, and to the Queensland border in addition to spending much time in White Cliffs, Wilcannia, and other sections. He goes anywhere he is required in the district, and his duties include that of officiating at marriages.

Since the travelling police station scheme was introduced two years ago it has proved most beneficial and assisted police work in the district.

On his trip to Sydney to hand in the old vehicle, Constable Buck travelled via Cobar, Nyngan and Dubbo, and returned with the new outfit via Parkes, Hillston and Ivanhoe.

RAIN NEEDED

Constable Buck said that the only green feed seen on the trip was between Parkes and Orange where the wheat is coming up. Rain is badly needed in these parts as in other parts of the State.

There is evidence of scrub cutting between Euabalong and Hillston, but from there to Ivanhoe there is dry feed. Station owners, however, complained of a lack of tank water.

Constable Buck said that the position of the people right along the River Darling was acute. In some places the river was dry, and unless there were heavy rain’s in Queensland in the next few weeks there would be a serious position in the summer months.

It is possible to drive a car across the river bed between Cuthero and Whurlie Station‘s, whereas only a few weeks ago it was possible to cross the river only at the bridge at Menindee.

A somewhat similar position is being experienced in the Walgett district, where the Rivers Barwon and Namoi are very low and have practically ceased flowing.

Shearing has been in progress practically throughout the Western District. The prospects for the lambing season are not bright, and there are expected to be many deaths.

In some cases lambs only three months old have been shorn in an endeavor to save them.

It was pointed out that many graziers in the district are not complying with the regulations of the Rural Workers Accommodation Act, which requires owners or occupiers to notify the inspector for their district of their intention to crutch or shear seven days before starting the work. Failure to do so renders them liable to a penalty not exceeding £100.

Convent Bombarded By Nazi Bombs

” ON the first day of the blitz a plane crashed at our gates, and the convent caught fire from an incendiary embedded in the roof. Later an aerial torpedo buzzed over us and demolished houses at the bottom of the garden.” writes Mother Mary Peter, of the Ursuline Convent, Greenwich, London, to her brother, Constable J. H. BUCK, of the travelling police station.

” Another night we had a direct hit from a high explosive, which rendered one wing useless,” she continues, ” and about a month ago more incendiaries fell on us ( altogether we have had 15 ), but we put the fire out ourselves and there was very little damage.

” Still, in spite of everything, we are all very gay and bright, and no one has been hurt. Please God we shall remain so to the end, but we are longing and praying for a just and speedy peace.”

The courage of these nuns is apparent in their determination not to run away, hut to carry on where they are most needed.

” What fine work the Australians have been doing in Africa,” Mother Mary Peter writes. ” You meet all types in London nowadays, and it’s just grand to see them. By the way, don’t believe London is dust and ashes. It’s still going strong and has ‘stayed put.’

” Our school here is now in two sections -an evacuated half in Wales and the rest ( or rather the remnant of the rest ) here. When war was first declared the whole school went to the coast, but last June we were moved from there. The presence of some children in London has necessitated mistresses here, so most of the nuns have stayed at home, but four are with the secular mistresses and 150 children in Wales. We are longing for the reunion of the school, but that cannot be for the present. The children are admirable. They take the raids as a matter of course, hence lessons carry on as usual and good work is being accomplished.”

WIRELESS ON TRAVELLING POLICE STATION

After being fitted with a transceiver wireless set in Adelaide, the Travelling Police Station truck, in charge of Constable Buck, returned from Adelaide at the Week end and has resumed duty at Wilcannia.

Until authority is obtained from the P.M.G’s Department the equipment will not be used. It is expected that this authority will be obtained soon. ( this is to ‘licence’ the unit )

When in use the equipment will enable contact to be made with Constable Buck anywhere on his route in the outback.

Contact will be made with the Central Police Station through 8SK, the Round Hill Flying Doctor base.

Travelling Police Station

There may be a change in the officer in charge of the travelling police station, which is at present in charger of Constable J. BUCK.

Constable Buck is at present visiting Broken Hill.

With him is Constable P. O. Blake, formerly of Camborah on the North Coast, and who will be engaged on duties with Constable Buck for the next three months.

The travelling police station is the only one of its kind in the Commonwealth and is the only similar service to be equipped with a wireless transceiving set.

GAS PRODUCER UNIT FOR POLICE CAR

A gas producer unit is to be fitted to the Travelling Police Station operated by Constable J. Buck from Wilcannia.

This will enable him to resume his normal patrols of the district.

Since October, when drastic petrol cuts were introduced, the use of the police truck, which is fitted with wireless, has been restricted to emergency trips and essential patrols only.

The Travelling Police Station covers many hundreds of miles each year and has provided people of the inland with the much needed service of police officer, registrar, inspector, and some of the many other official positions held by Constable Buck.

Constable Buck For Wilcannia

After four years in charge of the travelling police station, with headquarters at Wilcannia, Constable J Buck is to take charge of the Wilcannia Station. He will succeed Sgt. McEvoy, who has been transferred to Adelong.

Constable Blake is to take charge of the travelling police station. He has been with Constable Buck for several months.

The travelling police station, which was the first of its kind introduced in the State, is now fitted with a gas producer.

Constables Buck and Blake have just completed their first trip since the fitting of the unit.

The patrol took them a distance of 348 miles, and places visited included Ivanhoe, Moss Vale, Darnick railway siding, Eureka Well, and Palapah Station.

Department of Public Health, Sydney, 9th October, 1942.

IT is hereby notified for public information that the under mentioned person has been duly appointed by the Board of Health as Local Authority under section 17 (1) (b) of the Public Health Act, 1902:—

Constable Joseph Hubert Buck, Police District of Mitchell, station Wilcannia,— as from 18th. May, 1942.

(563) J. V. BOYLE, Secretary, Board of Health.

ONE-MAN POLICE FORCE PROMOTED

There will be celebration in the far west of New South Wales when the word gets round that Joe Buck, of the Mounted Police, has been promoted sergeant.

In the opal mines of White Cliffs, the silver mines of Broken Hill, the shearing sheds of Wilcannia, Milparinka, and Tibooburra, and along the dusty, treeless roads, the name of Joe Buck is a household word.

Joe, who is aged 36, yesterday received special promotion from the rank of constable to sergeant for meritorious service.

His ” meritorious service ” is performed in the largest single police district in the State — possibly in the world.

It covers thousands of square miles.

With headquarters at Wilcannia, he covers his huge patrol in a truck which is a travelling police station.

Apart from keeping law and order in his big domain, Joe also officially:

Conducts marriage and burial services.

Distributes gun and dog licences.

Issues mining rights.

Is Clerk of Petty Sessions at various towns.

Registers births, marriages, and deaths.

Unofficially he:

Succors the sick and attends the injured.

Assists at midwifery.

Lends a hand in the shearing sheds and lambing yards.

Entertains work hands and station owners with song and music. ( He was a piano & drum player )

Special Constable Joe is rated one or the best bushmen, horsemen, and trackers of the Far West.

His advice is sought on cattle and sheep by men reared on the land.

He knows the country better than those born there, and he is known across the Queensland and South Australian borders as well as in New South Wales.

Yet Joe was born at Forest Gate, London, where his father was a pastry cook— ” the champion pastrycook of England, ” according to Joe.

He came to Australia at the age of 15 and wandered the Australian bush and plains until he joined the mounted police in 1929, at the age of 21.

The Commissioner of Police yesterday announced four other special promotions of constables to the rank of sergeant.

They are R. B. Blake, W. Allen, M. W. Chaseling, and Detective G. Jack.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/247862065

SGT BUCK OF WILCANNIA

SYDNEY, Saturday.— Included in police promotions yesterday was the name of Joe Buck, of the mounted police, aged 36, with headquarters at Wilcannia, who was raised from the rank of constable to that of sergeant for meritorious service.

His single police district covers thousands of miles and in the Far West his name is a household word.

BURNT CAKES STARTED HIS TRAVELS

Sergeant Joe Buck, of the Mounted Police, who pioneered the first travelling police station in the north-west corner of N.S.W., came to Australia in 1923 because, as a boy in London, he burnt cakes.

He burnt the cakes in his father’s pastrycook bakery not far from where, almost 1000 years earlier, Alfred the Great was scolded for burning cakes.

” Dad gave me such a hiding that I threatened to go to Australia, and Dad was so angry he paid my passage. ” Sergeant Buck said yesterday.

Now 36, he was given special promotion from constable on Friday, for Meritorious service in the largest single police district in the State, and probably the world.

His travelling police station was a truck.

Covering more than 60,000 square miles, his district extended over the opal mines of White Cliffs, shearing sheds of Wilcannia, Milparinka and Tibooburra.

In addition to his police duties he held 23 official appointments, including authority to make wills and perform marriages.

He has married about a dozen couples, but never a white and a black.

After marrying one couple, he found the husband had filled in the form for his condition ( whether single or widowed ) as ” fine, ” and his bride’s as ” pregnant. ”

Sergeant Buck is on a month’s leave in Sydney for the first time since he joined the Mounted Police 14 years ago.

His wife, who helped him with the beginnings of the patrols outback, is with him.

Since last May the travelling police station has been in charge of Constable P. Blake.

Sergeant Buck will be in charge of the territory at Wilcannia, assisted by Constable Jack MacLean.

(2416) Police Department, Commissioner’s Office,

Sydney, 12th February, 1943.

APPOINTMENT OF SANITARY INSPECTOR UNDER

THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACT, 1902.

IN pursuance of the power vested in him as Local Authority under the Public Health Act, 1902, for the Police District of Mitchell, in the State of New South Wales, Joseph Hubert Buck, Sergeant of Police and Local Authority for the said Police District, hereby appoints Constable 1st Class Daniel John Haigh as Sanitary Inspector for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of the Public Health Act at Silverton within the Police District of Mitchell, as on and from the 7th December, 1942.

WM. J, MACKAY, Commissioner of Police.

Wilcannia Still

Without Light And Water Supply

” Wilcannia residents have been greatly inconvenienced following the recent fire which destroyed the town’s pumping and electricity plant. Citizens, however, are patient, realising that the Council is doing all possible to relieve the position. ”

This was stated today by Sgt. Joe Buck, officer in charge of the Wilcannia Police Station.

Police are preparing a report on the disastrous fire which destroyed the plants, comprising four engines, including two diesel engines. This machinery was housed in the one building.

The damage wa estimated at approximately £5000, but was covered by insurance.

The Council is making arrangements for a local pump to relieve the water position. Negotiations are also being continued for the restoration of the lighting services.

When the fire occurred the town was plunged into darkness and there is now a complete blackout except for the light given by the moon.

Emergency lighting for homes and business houses has been provided by kerosene lamps and candles.

On the day following the fire there was a brisk trade in kerosene lamps, glasses, kerosene, lamps wicks and candles.

Sgt. Buck, referring to conditions generally in the district, said that the recent rains had caused a big improvement. Another inch of rain would assure an excellent winter in the grazing areas.

In recent patrols through Myro Station and Monolon, Sgt Buck found these properties in good heart.

The river at Wilcannia is high, and is still rising. The weir is out of sight.

Sgt. Joe Buck, of the Wilcannia police, left today on his return to his station. He was accompanied by Constable H. Blake, of the Travelling Police Station, who has been granted permission to join the RAAF. He is now awaiting his call up.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/49565044

LECTURE FOR POLICE

Local and district police are to be given a lecture at three sessions on how to rescue crews and passengers from crashed aircraft.

The lecturer is Constable First Class Hunter, of Bathurst, who is expected to arrive here this afternoon.

All district police have been instructed to attend.

Those due in include Constable Madden (Tibooburra), Sgt. Joe Buck, Constables Sawtell and Blake (Wilcannia), Sgt. Carey and Constable Beck (Menindee), and Constable D. Haigh (Silverton).

Tilpa News

RED CROSS VICTORY BALL

The Tilpa Red Cross held their Victory Ball in the local hall on Saturday, August 25th. Although the weather had been doubtful causing the organisers some concern. Saturday broke fine and a big crowd was assured.

Visitors from Cobar, Bourke, Wilcannia and Wanaaring were noticed among the revellers and a Victory spirit seemed to be the order of the night. This was the first opportunity that the local people had of celebrating at least officially the victory over Japan and they certainly did it to some purpose.

Sergeant Joe Buck had offered to supply the music and he was as good as his word both he and his drummer Mr. Clark excelling themselves in their efforts. That this combination were appreciated was very much in evidence by the full dance floor all-night.

Mrs. Luffman, Mrs. Suttor and their helpers had the hall decorated in Red, white and blue with Victory Flags around the walls and the dance floor was in excellent condition.

The same ladies were in charge of the sit-down supper in a neighboring building and there were plenty of good things for all. On this occasion it was noticed that there were more young people from neighboring districts and the dancing was kept going with a good swing perhaps in some way due to a bit of competition among the lads. Although the older generation were not doing ” so hot on the dance floor, they seemed to be holding their own elsewhere voted it a good night.

This function was primarily arranged as a Victory celebration yet the money still came in and £84 was the financial result of the night’s effort.

The President and Committee once again extend to their staunch helpers and to all who attended their sincere thanks for their efforts in making this and other Tilpa functions the 100 percent success they have been.

Various Novelties through the night were disposed of as follows -Dinner -Mrs. Howchin; 1lb Tobacco, D. Brookman; Brandy, A. Gascoyne; 1/2lb Tobacco, Mrs. L. Suttor; Sweets, F. Martin.

FAREWELL AT WILCANNIA TO SGT. JOE BUCK

A PUBLIC farewell was tendered to Sgt. J. Buck and Mrs. Buck at Wilcannia on Saturday night, there being an excellent gathering of residents of both the town and surrounding districts.

Indicative of the esteem in which Sgt. Buck is held in the district was the fact that some of those present had travelled 150 miles. Visitors were present from the White Cliffs district.

Sgt. Buck has been at Wilcannia for about 10 years and taken an active part in the town’s activities, especially on behalf of war and other charities.

The Mayor ( Ald J. Uhl ) presided and spoke of Sgt. Buck‘s organising ability and his work for the betterment of the town. He said he was behind every move made for improved conditions.

Father Jordan spoke of Sgt. and Mrs. Buck‘s activities in connection with church work, and also referred to his organising ability.

Dr. Bonar, on behalf of the Bowling Club, said that the work of Sergt. Buck was mainly responsible for bringing the club to a high plane.

Other speakers also eulogised the work of Sergt. and Mrs. Buck.

On behalf of the citizens, Mayor Uhl handed Sergt. Buck a travelling case and rug and Mrs. Buck a silver mounted tray.

Sergt. Buck responded for himself and wife.

Following the presentation, dancing was continued until about 1 a.m. Sunday.

Sgt. Buck and family will leave Wilcannia for Temora on September 25.

CROWDED COURTROOM HEARS STORY

OF TEMORA GUARD’S Mystery death

Coroner’s Finding Expected Today

( From Our Special Reporter )

TEMORA, Wednesday:

A railway guard who collapsed at Temora railway station on March 1 and died the following morning, allegedly from arsenical poisoning, was happy and singing a short while before he became ill.

This was stated by witnesses at the inquest into the guard’s death, which opened at Temora today before a crowded courtroom.

The guard was Robert Sylvester Condron, aged 46, of 148 Hovell Street, Cootamundra.

Witnesses also stated that Condron was deeply religious. When he collapsed at Temora he called for a priest. One witness said that when he informed Condron’s wife in Cootamundra that he had been taken to Temora Hospital suffering from poisoning, she was shocked and upset.

The witness said that Mrs. Condron had stated that she gave her husband a dose of Bidomak in a small bottle to take with him when he left for Temora.

Evidence was given that a small bottle containing a few dregs of a dark fluid was found with Condron’s belongings at the Temora station after he had collapsed.

The Inquest was adjourned until 10 o’clock tomorrow morning, and a finding is expected tomorrow.

The inquest is being conducted by the Temora Coroner ( Mr. C. Wellingham ). Sgt. G. Lithgow, of Wagga, is appearing to assist the Coroner; Mr. E. J. Callan ( Kinsey and Callan, Cootamundra ) is appearing for the widow ( Mrs. Rita Marie Condron ); Mr. H. E. Hoare is appearing for S. O. Bielby, manufacturer and proprietor of Bidomak, and Mr. W. M. O’Neill, organiser, is appearing for the Australian Railways Union, of which Condron was a member.

The first witness was Robert John O’Shea, leading porter, of the Railway Hotel, Cootamundra, who said that at 5 p.m.. on March 1, 1948, he was in Hovell street, Cootamundra, and saw Condron. Condron was walking on the platform of the Cootamundra railway station carrying his tucker box.

O’Shea said a tucker box in court was similar to the one Condron was carrying.

A few minutes later, O’Shea said he saw Condron in the porters’ room having a cup of tea, Condron said he felt ” good ” and said he was going to Temora. Condron was drinking from a railway refreshment room cup. That was the last he saw of Condron.

John Austin Schofield, railway cleaner, of 72 Parker Street, Cootamundra, said that at 5 p.m. on March 1 he saw Condron on the platform at Cootamundra. Condron said he was working the same train as Schofield to Temora. Condron placed his tucker box in the guard’s van. The tucker box in court was similar to Condron’s, said Schofield.

Stop at Maemar

The train, which consisted of an engine and guard’s van, proceeded to Temora. At a stop at Maemar, Condron left the guard’s van. Condron, said Schofield, appeared to be in good health. He did not complain of illness. The whole of the time they were at Maemar, Condron was in his view, said Schofield. At the home signal box at Temora, Condron still appeared to be in good spirits. As Condron left the train, he said: ” Cheerio, I’ll see you later.”

Schofield said that no other stops were made. He did not see Condron again.

To Mr. Callan, Schofield said he did not think the train stopped at Stockinbingal.

Schofield said he did not know of a tank used to keep poison water for the destruction of weeds at Maemar. He did not know arsenic was used to poison weeds on the railway.

Condron was never out of his sight at Maemar, added Schofield. Geoffrey Joseph Rogers, a shunter, of 134 Temora Street, Cootamundra, was not present in court. The court was informed that he was on his honeymoon.

A statement made by Rogers, in which he told of having seen Condron with his tucker box at Cootamundra railway station on March 1, was read to the court.

Swept Guard’s Van

William Charles Williams, a junior porter, of 38 Victoria Parade, Cootamundra, told of having swept out Condron’s guard’s van. He did not see any utensils in the van. He said the tucker box in court was Condron’s. He saw it in the van. Condron appeared to be in normal health.

” Arsenic Used to Kill Weeds “

Shown a photograph of the carriage section of Condron’s guard’s van, Williams said he did not think it had contained a water bottle when he cleaned the van prior to Condron’s trip to Temora. The guard would not use the compartment.

To Mr. Callan, Williams said that Condron did not have a water bag with him on March 1.

Williams said there could have been some bottles in the guard’s section of the van. He said it was not Condron’s practice to carry a water bag.

At 9.45 p.m. he was in the station-master’s office when Condron asked for a doctor and an ambulance. He followed Condron on to the platform and asked him why he wanted a doctor and ambulance. Condron replied that he had taken something, or had had a drink of something.

Condron was in pain and complained of pain and heat. He appeared very hot, said Roberts. Condron did not say what he had taken.

When asked by the doctor what he had taken, Condron said: ” A dose of Bidomak.”

Roberts said he searched the guard’s van but could find nothing belonging to Condron. In the meal hut he found Condron’s tucker box and gear on the table. The tucker box was open. Condron’s false teeth were cleaned near the tucker box.

” Dark Froth on Bottle “

His billy can was on the table with tea leaves in it, ready for tea to be made, said Roberts. His pannikin contained a bag of sugar. His plate with meat, covered in a bag, was also on the table. The position as he saw it, said Roberts, was normal for a man about to have a meal.

A small flask ( produced in court ) was in Condron’s tucker bag, said witness. It had a screw top and there was a dark froth round the edge of the bottle, as if it had recently been shaken. There were a few dregs of dark fluid in the bottle.

Roberts said it smelt like some patent medicine. He gave the flask to the ambulance driver, to be handed to the doctor. Roberts said he found no containers other than those that would be used by a normal man about to have a meal.

Roberts said he did not think there was a poison water tank at Temora.

Cross-examined by Mr. Callan, Roberts said a tank was not used for mixing poison at Temora. Poison was mixed at Temora at the trolley shed, which was out side the station yards. All mixing instruments were kept under lock.

( Continued on Page 2 )

TEMORA INQUEST ( Continued from Page 1 )

Roberts said that no poison had been used at Temora for 13 months. He had never seen fettlers dip buckets into tanks to get water for mixing poison. Condron did not say anything that would blame anyone else for poisoning him.

Frederick ( Fredick ) George Jordan, ganger, of 31 Warren Street, Cootamundra, said that Condron was the lessee of a railway paddock near his gangers’ shed. The shed was kept locked. The police had taken a sample of weed-killer from the shed.

Jordan told Mr. Callan that he did know some fettlers dipped buckets into the water tanks to get water to dilute poison.

Question of Faith

Norman William Starr, fireman, of 88 Murray Street, Cootamundra, said he had known Condron for several years. He was a hard-working, decent and truthful man. Condron was a devout Catholic. He had once expressed the opinion that religious faith was supreme over all things, and he was known to often quote the scriptures.

Starr told Mr. Callan that Condron was a cautious man.

Cross-examined by Mr. Callan. Starr said that Condron gave him the impression that he ( Condron ) believed that with Christian faith, a man could overcome anything that would kill an ordinary man.

Starr told Sergeant Lithgow that Condron did not give the impression that he world take poison to prove his argument.

At this stage, Whitford was recalled to the box. He said he had made an examination of the yard at the Temora railway station. There were no poison tanks at the yards. None had been removed since March 1 and there had been no poison at the yards for 13 months.

Jack Wilfred James Forrest, guard, of 123 Crowley Street, Temora, said he took over the train in place of Condron. He did not see anything in the van that could have contained water or any liquid.

Frederick Eugene Perrott, a per-way section light duty man, of Barmedman Road, Temora, said he came on duty on the morning of March 2. He did not see anything that could have contained liquid in the meal hut at Temora.

Interview With Wife

Constable Charles Francis Rains, of Cootamundra, said that at 11.15 p.m. on March 1, he went to Condron’s home and told his wife that her husband had taken ill. He told her the symptoms were those of poisoning. When told that her husband had said she had given him a dose of medicine before he left home, Mrs. Condron said: ” Yes, I gave him a dose of Bidomak.”

Constable Rains said he took possession of a bottle of Bidomak given him by Mrs. Condron.

Mrs. Condron said she gave her husband a dose before he left home and put another dose in a small flat bottle like a flask, to take with him.

Constable Rains said that every time he spoke to Condron over the period he had known him, Condron had been in a bad temper. He told Mr. Callan that Condron’s home had been burnt down in 1945. At the time of Condron’s death they were still living in sheds at the rear of the burnt home. Condron was building a new home at the time of his death.

When told of her husband’s condition, Mrs. Condron was shocked and concerned, said witness. She did not ask what kind of poisoning her husband was suffering from.

Post-Mortem Held

Senior Constable Walter Charles Rantlan, of Temora, said that at 11.30 p.m., on March 1 he saw a doctor, who handed him a bottle ( produced in court ).

Sergeant Joseph Hubert Buck, of Temora, said that at 11 a.m. on March 2, he was present at a post-mortem examination on Condron. The doctor had handed him several organs from Condron’s body. On March 4, he handed a number of exhibits in court to the Government Analyst in Sydney.

He produced the analyst’s certificates in relation to the articles. They included the small flask-like bottle, the bottle of Bidomak and the organs from Condron’s body.

Temora Taxi Driver s Death;

Verdict of Suicide Returned

A few hours before he committed suicide by taking cyanide poison, 48-years-old Temora taxi driver, Henry Murphy, was almost run down by a locomotive engine in the Temora shunting yards.

Henry Kenneth Adams, railway fireman, told the Temora Coroner ( Mr. C. Wellingham ) that he saw Murphy walking towards an engine he was shunting in the yards.

The Coroner returned a verdict of suicide by poisoning.

“I thought if I hadn’t pulled the engine up I might have hit him. Murphy was only seven yards away when he passed in front of the engine after it had stopped, Adams said.

Adams said it was about 9p.m.

on September 9 when he saw Murphy in the railway yards, where there were numerous wheat stacks. Murphy had hesitated two or three times before passing in front of the train said Adams.

Mr. Wellingham was inquiring into the death of Murphy, who was found dead in his room at the Federal Hotel, Temora, on September 10. ” There is no doubt, in my opinion that the death was made by Murphy to appear as a result of natural causes, making it one of the most involved inquests I have handled,” said Mr. Wellingham. ” Right up until the post mortem, it looked like heart failure and that was also the opinion of the Government Medical Officer ( Dr. Parry ),” said Mr. Wellingham.

Mr. Wellingham directed that ” the painstaking and untiring investigations by Det. Sgt H. J. Cloke, of Wagga, and Sgt. J. H. Buck, of Temora, be brought under the notice of the Commissioner of Police.”

WITNESS CRITICISED

He criticised a Temora woman Mrs. Sopphie Alma Brooks, who gave evidence at the inquest.

“Mrs. Brooks impressed me as a most unfavorable type of witness. I feel she could have told us a lot more than she did, said Mr. Wellingham.

Mrs. Brooks, of Camp Street, Temora, denied that Murphy had given her £470 during the nine months before his death, or that she had bought clothes and charged them up to Murphy’s account in Temora.

She said she was a married woman living apart from her husband, and had known Murphy for the past seven or eight years. About two years ago she went to work at the Trundle Hotel. After four or five months she got a letter from her sister, Mrs. Maquire, of Temora, saying that Murphy wanted to purchase a boarding house at Temora. She and her sister were to rent it at £2/10/0 a week.

DISCUSSION ABOUT BOARDING HOUSE

At a later date she returned to Temora and went into the boarding house with her sister. After a week, she went to bank some money and spoke to Murphy. He told her that be had not let the boarding house to her, but had put her in it as a manageress.

After a discussion with a solicitor at which Murphy was present, she left the boarding house. Before she went into the boarding house. Murphy gave £40 to buy some linen and crockery. After that she did not see much of Murphy, and left Temora.

About 11 months ago she returned to Temora and lived with her sister.

On the night of his death, Murphy had driven her sister and herself down town in the taxi. Murphy mentioned he was going to Trundle the next day, said Mrs. Brooks.

Sgt. Buck ( assisting the coroner ) : Has Murphy given you any money besides that £40.

No.

Sgt. Buck: ” Were you told of an allegation that Murphy had given you £470 over a period of nine months?— He definitely did not give it to me. There is no-truth in it.

Sgt. Buck ( to the coroner ): The allegation was put to her when interviewed by Sgt. Cloke.

WITNESS’S DENIAL

To Mr. Farrell ( for Murphy’s relatives ), Mrs. Brooks denied she had ever charged any goods or clothing to Murphy’s account at any Store in town.

It was not true that she had charged certain frocks to Murphy during the period she was running the boarding house, she said.

The dead man’s widow Ethel Murphy, said she had been living apart from her husband for the past four and a half years.

Murphy had written to her saying that he was not feeling well and had also told her his heart was troubling him, said Mrs. Murphy.

The Temora Government Medical Officer Dr. B. K. Parry ) said that in his opinion Murphy had died from cyanide poisoning.

A resident at the Federal Hotel, Mrs. Margaret Saville Simpson, told the coroner how she found Murphy’s body lying on the bed.

” I was walking past Murphy’s room about 7 a.m. and through the open door I saw Murphy lying on the bed.

” About an hour later I again passed the room and Murphy was lying in the same position, with his right hand across his chest.

” I thought there was something wrong, and after sending for an employee of the hotel, we went in and found him apparently dead,” she said.

SERGEANT’S EVIDENCE

When he arrived at the hotel on the morning of September 10, Murphy was lying on the bed with the bedclothes pulled up around him and was wearing pyjamas, said Sgt. Joseph Hubert Buck, of the Temora police.

The G.M.O. ( Dr. E. K. Parry ) and Constable Pantlon were already in the room.

He saw constable Pantlon, pick up a headache powder wrapper and broken tumbler off the floor. On the dressing table was a pad containing a letter to a man named ” Cecil “, said Sgt. Buck. The letter had apparently been written on the night of Murphy’s death.

On September 13, he and Det-Sergeant Cloke had found a piece of white substance in a cardboard box in the room. It was later Identified as cyanide.

Sgt. Buck said that after a careful examination of the body, he could find no marks of violence.

There was no traces of cyanide in the headache powder wrapper which he had sent to the Government Analyst in Sydney, Det.-Sgt. Cloke told the coroner.

From inquiries he had made, be had ascertained that Murphy was worried before his death.

Although exhaustive inquiries had been made to trace the ” Cecil ” referred to in the letter, the only person he could trace of that name who knew the dead man had died some time ago, said Det.-Sgt. Cloke.

” From inquiries I have made, I am satisfied that Murphy took his own life. ” said Det-Sgt. Cloke. Cyanide was used extensively in the district for the destruction of mice in wheat stacks, he said.

PERSONAL

POLICE NEWS

Sergeant Joe Buck, of Bathurst, I formerly of Broken Hill and Wilcannia, has passed the examination for promotion to sergeant first class.

Constable W. Sowerby, formerly clerk in the inspector’s office at the Central Police Station, has passed the examination for promotion to sergeant third class.

SWIMMING CLUB ELECTS FIRST LIFE MEMBER

CASINO, Monday.— Mr. Joe Buck has become the first life member of Casino Amateur Swimming Club.

This honour was conferred on Mr. Buck at tonight’s annual meeting, attended by 85 members.

Mr. Buck has been re-elected president, even though his transfer to officer-in-charge of police at Darlinghurst is pending.

He is the inaugural secretary of the swimming club, formed two years ago, and was elected president last year.

All the executive were returned unopposed. They are the secretary, Mr. W. H. Smith; treasurer, Mr. A. F. McDonald; patrons, Ald. R. W. Manyweathers, Sir Earle Page, M.H.R., Messrs. I. L. Robinson, M.L.A., A. E. Robinson, D. K. J. Kissane, and G. F. Thompson: vice-presidents, Messrs. J. Galbraith, E. E. Gray; handicapper. Mr. N. Balzer; race secretary, Mr. W. Cox; women’s captain, Miss H. Moller.

Mr. A. McGearey won a ballot to become club captain of the men, and the committee ( elected on a ballot ) comprises Messrs. D. Gooley, K. Gooley, N. Imeson, R. Imeson, J. McElligott, G. Naughton and C. O’Connor.

ABORIGINES PROTECTION ACT, 1909 – 1943

Appointment

THE Governor-in-Council has approved of the appointment of Superintendent 2nd Class Joseph Hubert Buck as a member of the Aborigines Welfare Board, vice Frederick Stanley Windsor, Deputy Commissioner of Police.

G A. KELLY, Chief Secretary.

Chief Secretary’s Department, Sydney, 22nd June, 1962.

BUSH FIRES ACT, 1949-1958

Appointment

THE Governor-in-Council has approved of the appointment of Superintendent Joseph Hubert Buck as a member of the Bush Fire Committee, vice Mr. Frederick Stanley Windsor, resigned.

C. A. KELLY.

MARRIAGE. DAVIS — BUCK.

The marriage of Miss Gaenor Veronica DAVIS and Mr. Joseph Hubert BUCK will be celebrated at St Ignatius’ Church, Bourke, with Nuptial Mass, on Saturday, 6th June ( 1964 ), at 5.45 p.m.

A reception will follow at the Memorial Hall Supper Room.

MARRIAGE WITH NUPTIAL MASS

MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH HUBERT BUCK .

Photo by ” Speedex ”

Anas, sister of the bride, acted as bridesmaid and John Dwyer was best man.

” Ave Maria ” was rendered very sweetly by Miss Helen Ellicott and a guard-of-honour was formed by the Children of Mary.

The bride’s dress was of Peau De Soie with French beading and a long train. She carried a bouquet of white hyacinths and white gladioli roses with ivy trailers. Her veil was held in place by a Peau de soie headpiece.

The bridesmaid wore blue Thai silk and her bouquet was of white gladioli roses with ivy trails.

The bride’s mother wore a gold brocade frock and jacket with mink collar and brown accessories.

The bridegroom’s mother chose a blue embroided wool suit with beige accessories.

Floral decorations in the Church were arranged by the bride and Mrs. Jim O’Shannessy.

Immediately following the Church Service over 300 guests were welcomed at the Reception in the War Memorial Hall by Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Davis, Supt. and Mrs. Buck and the Bridal Party.

After all had partaken of the lavish banquet Mr. L. D. Davis; uncle of the bride, who acted as Chairman, opened the toast list by honouring ” Her ‘Majesty the Queen. ”

Other toasts honoured were: ” The Bride and Bridegroom,” proposed by Mr. Bob Ridge and replied to by the Bridegroom who then gave a toast to ” The Bridesmaid,” which was replied to by the best man; ” The Bride’s Parents ” was proposed by Mr. D. Swan and responded to by Mr. W. W. Davis; ” Parents of the Bridegroom” was in the hands of Mr. B. Doohan, to which Supt. Buck replied; ” The Press ” was given by Mr. L. Pearson, and responded to by Mr. L. Carmichael.

The final toast honouring ” The Chairman,” was proposed by Mr. R. Molony. In his response Mr. L. D. Davis thanked Mr. Nick Peters for his wonderful catering and Miss Colleen Moxey for her attractive decorating. The speaker said he was deputising for his brother, Kerry, who was ill in Sydney and had expressed his sorrow at not being present to see Gae and Joe married.

A large number of telegrams from relatives and friends unable to be present were read by the best man.

The three-tier wedding cake, iced in all white, held a prominent position on the bridal party table. During the proceedings it was cut by the bride and groom with due ceremony and handed around to guests by the bridesmaid.

Following the formal proceedings dancing began with the Bridal Waltz, with music supplied by the bridegroom’s father on the piano. The many admirers of the voice of Mr. John Dwyer were pleased to hear him sing.

The lovely array of gifts displayed at the reception hall would gladden the heart of any bride. We feel sure they will be a constant reminder to the happy couple of their wedding day.

For her going away outfit the bride wore a deep blue wool dress and jacket, with white accessories.

After the reception the happy couple left for a tour of the New South Wales Coast.

We join with the many friends of the newlyweds in wishing them all the best in their future life. They will reside in Wee Waa.

Six Collector residents in re-enactment

Six residents from Collector will take part on February 1, in the re-enactment of the shooting of Constable Nelson at Collector.

They will be supported by four members of the Wild Colonial Days Society of Sydney. The society’s president, Mr. Edgar Penzig, will take the part of Constable Nelson.

The Collector residents are John Sheridan and Lindsay Poidevin who will play teamsters; Bernard Reardon, a prospector; John McInerney, the hotel licensee; Maurice Granger, farmhand; and Paul McInerney as Harry Nelson, who held the bushrangers’ horses.

Assistant Commissioner of Police J. H. Buck will be in the official party attending the re-enactment.

Commissioner Buck will be accompanied by his wife.

He is well known in the district. He relieved as superintendent in Goulburn several times a few years ago.

Chief Secretary’s Department, Sydney, 5th May, 1967.

ABORIGINES PROTECTION ACT, 1909, AS AMENDED

RESIGNATION

THE Governor-in-Council has approved of the acceptance of the resignation tendered by Mr Joseph Hubert Buck of his position as a member of the Aborigines Welfare Board.

( A. 67 – 507 )

WAL. C FIFE, Acting Chief Secretary.

Chief Secretary’s Department, Sydney. 5th May, 1967.

BUSH FIRES ACT, 1949, AS AMENDED

Resignations

THE Governor-in-Council has approved of the acceptance of the resignations tendered by Messrs Joseph Hubert Buck and Albert Mainerd of their positions as members of the Bush Fire Committee.

(A. 64-1,941)

WAL. C. FIFE, Acting Chief Secretary.

SMART ARREST.

Last night Constable *Brook saw a man and woman in the Domain both carrying parcels.

He stopped them and found the man’s parcel contained the dead body of a child, and some blood-stained clothing. The woman stated that the child was born alive on Sunday night, but when she awoke yesterday morning it was dead.

Bricks were attached to both parcels.

The couple were arrested on a charge of concealment of birth.

LANGUAGE AND ASSAULT.

Constable Brook, the one time champion cyclist, was the prosecutor in a case at the Water Police Court this morning.

He had arrested Charles Chapman, 27, fishmonger, on a charge of using indecent language in Liverpool street on September 18, and Joseph Nava, 26, bricklayer, for assault, on the same date. The cases were heard together.

The constable said when be went to arrest Chapman for using language Nava and others interfered. Nava wrenched his arm back causing him pain.

The accused, who denied the charges, were each fined 10s, or seven- days.

ASSAULTING A CONSTABLE.

For assaulting Constable Oliver Heathcote Brooks while in the execution of his duty at Sydney on Saturday last a laborer, David Hession, aged 26 years, was at the Water Police Court today sentenced to six weeks hard labor by Mr. J. L. King, S M.

It was stated for the prosecution that the accused was with another man on Saturday, when one of them was heard using indecent language, whereupon the constable asked them to move on.

The accused, who was under the influence of liquor at the time, then struck the constable a heavy blow with his hand.

Accused pleaded guilty, and said he had a few drinks in, and did not know what he was doing.

SCROLL OF THE BRAVE AUSTRALIAN HEROES.

KING OF ITALY’S APPRECIATION.

ROYAL SHIPWRECK RELIEF SOCIETY’S AWARDS.

The Royal Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society’s 35th annual meeting and distribution of awards for acts of bravery will take place at the Sydney Town Hall on the evening of the 26th inst.

The list of those who are to receive either medals or certificates is comprised solely of Australians who have risked their lives in saving others. On this occasion five Australian mariners are to be presented with silver medals from the King of Italy for an act of bravery in rescuing men, women, and children at Messina at the time that, city was destroyed by earthquake. Another Australian is to receive a bronze medal and certificate from Lloyds, London, and a silver medal and certificate from the South Holland lifeboat institution. The acts of bravery performed by the following have been recognised, and each will receive the society’s award at the annual meeting.

CARRIED OUT BY UNDERTOW.

SYDNEY. Monday.

James Jones, a one-handed man, was carried out by the undertow at Bondi yesterday.

Constable Brook, ex-champion cyclist of New South Wales, saw the man throw up his hand, and swam to his assistance, and after a desperate struggle, succeeded in bringing him ashore.

A PLUCKY CONSTABLE

S Y D N E Y , Monday.

At Tamarama Beach, James Jones, a Bondi resident, who has only one arm, got into difficulties about 109 yards from shore.

Constable Brook dived in, and after a long swim, brought Jones safely ashore.

Constable Brook has the Royal Life Saving Society’s certificate for a similar rescue on the same beach.

PERSONAL.

Mr. Edward George Brook, who died at his residence, Heathcote, Cross Street, Waverley, on Wednesday at the age of 63, was the father of Constable Brook, of Sydney, the well known ex-champion cyclist, and of Sapper William Brook, a good swimmer as well as a brave soldier, who was killed in action about a month ago.

For the last few years Mr. Brook suffered from a weak heart.

His end was hastened by the death of Sapper Brook.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/239428488

OBITUARY.

SENIOR-CONSTABLE STARR.

Senior-Constable Timothy Starr, of the Marrickville Police Station, died in Lewisham Hospital on Friday from pneumonia, contracted through a chill he received while recovering the body of one of the boys who was drowned in a waterhole at Marrickville on September 23 last.

Deceased was a strict Catholic, the last rites of the Church being administered to him by the Very Rev. Father Frederick, C.P., who also visited him during his illness.

The late Senior-Constable Starr was a native of the County Clare, Ireland, and was 46 years of age.

He came to Australia about 26 years ago, and had just completed 20 years’ service in the police force.

He was first appointed to No. 3 Station, and subsequently to Paddington, where he was promoted to the rank of Senior-Constable.

Three years ago he was transferred to Marrickville.

Deceased was a popular officer, and was much respected and esteemed by the residents of the districts in which he had done duty.

He was a man of sterling character, and had the confidence of his superiors.

His wife predeceased him three years ago, and he has left one child — a little girl about six years old.

A Mass for the repose of the soul was celebrated in St. Brigid’s, Marrickville, by the Very Rev. Father Frederick, C.P., on Saturday morning.

The funeral left the church in the afternoon for the Waverley Cemetery, and after the Last Absolutions had been pronounced the coffin was carried to the hearse by four of the deceased’s comrades, the ‘ Dead March ‘ being played on the organ meanwhile.

Over 100 members of the Metropolitan Police Force, under Inspector McIntosh, marched in front of the hearse, which was also preceded by the Very Rev. Fathers Frederick, C.P., and P. B. Kennedy, O.F.M., who officiated at the grave.

The cortege was headed by the Police Band, under Senior-Constables Mankey and Hamilton, which rendered the customary funeral music.

The attendance at the funeral was very large, the crowd that gathered around St. Brigid’s Church being a very big one.

Father Frederick preached the panegyric at the grave.

Amongst those present were Senior Sergeants Griffiths ( Ashfield ) and Parkinson ( No. 1 Police Station ), Senior-Constables Orr ( North Sydney ), Graham ( Paddington ) and Phelan, and Constable Thomas Moloney ( No. 3 Station ), one of deceased’s oldest and most trusted friends.

R I. P.

DEATH OF SENIOR CONSTABLE STARR.

The death occurred in the Lewisham Hospital today of Senior-constable Timothy Starr, of the Marrickville police.

The deceased officer contracted influenza about ten days ago, and about four days later pneumonia set in.

He was admitted to the hospital on the 2nd instant, and lingered until a quarter past 8 this morning.

Senior constable Starr had been a member of the police force for about 20 years, and for the last four years had been stationed at Marrickville.

Prior to this he was attached to No. 3 Division.

He was about 45 years of age, was a widower, and leaves one child, a girl of 6 years of age.

THE CONSTABLE AND DOG.

John Docksay, of Annandale-street, Darling Point, is the owner of a handsome retriever dog.

On the evening of October 11 Constable Timothy Starr happened to be in the neighborhood of the place mentioned, and the animal, without preliminary warning or ultimatum of any kind, bit him in the shin, not, however, in such a way as to prevent him from discharging his duty.

At the Paddington Police Court yesterday Docksay was proceeded against for keeping a dog that endangered Constable Starr‘s limbs.

The defendant could not account for the animal’s foolish behavior, though he held the opinion that it only desired to play with the constable on the occasion referred to.

He was, however, ordered to pay £2, with 4s,10d costs, in default levy and distress.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/113692868

RUSHCUTTER’S BAY SENSATION

A MAN AND A REVOLVER. EXTRAORDINARY BEHAVIOR. TWO LIVES IN DANGER EFFECTS OF THE WAR FEVER.

Many of the residents of Rushcutter’s Bay, in the neighborhood of the power-house, were startled on Saturday night last by the unusual sound of arms being discharged in that quiet neighborhood. The facts in connection with the occurrence go to show that what might have been very grave consequences were escaped by sheer good luck, two lives having been seriously endangered.

It appears that at about 10.25 p.m., Mr. Benjamin Bernard, a resident of Elizabeth-street, Paddington, and engaged in business at 89½ King-street, Sydney, was walking along Bayswater-road, on his way home by that route. He passed the power house, and reached that open portion of the road opposite Rushcutter’s Bay Reserve. As he neared the hoarding on the right hand side of the road, he saw a man under the lamp post flourishing a revolver, and just when he got within a few yards of him the weapon was discharged in the direction of the reserve.

Mr. Bernard at once remonstrated angrily with the man upon the recklessness of his conduct, and gave him a strong warning not to repeat it, and then proceeded on his journey.

When he had gone 50 or 100 yards, he met Constable Timothy Starr, to whom he related the occurrence, saying that he thought, there was a man running amuck farther down.

The constable proceeded towards the power house, and after he had gone a few moments it occurred to Mr. Bernard that he had better go back, in case his assistance might be required.

He accordingly turned, and crossed over the road towards the Bayswater-road Hotel. As he stepped on the footpath he found himself face to face with the man, who evidently had escaped the constable.

The man instantly raised his revolver, and discharged it at Mr. Bernard’s head.

Mr. Bernard had seen the danger, and ducked to one side, and the bullet whizzed past over his shoulder. The man then passed on, leaving Mr. Bernard for the moment dazed. The latter’s blood, however, was now up, and he determined to close with the man, and for that purpose prepared to rush on him unawares.

Just then Constable Starr, who had heard the shot, flew past in the direction of the man, and immediately got close to him. The man thereupon turned round, and levelled his revolver at the constable. The latter almost instinctively raised up his cloak to ward off, as well as it could, the bullet which he was certain was coming. The trigger was heard being drawn, and the leaden messenger was awaited, but providentially it did not come.

The revolver would not work for just that instant, and before the man could do anything both the constable and Mr. Bernard were upon him, and had him soon pinned to the ground.

Starr quickly took the revolver out of his hand ; but had hardly got hold of it when it went off — fortunately in a safe direction.

The man was then taken to the Paddington Station, where he gave the name of Charles Willis, 29, groom, an Englishman, and said to be in the employ of Mr. McGrath, livery stable proprietor, Castlereagh street, Sydney.

On the way to the station his captors asked him for some explanation of his conduct, but he did not appear to be very coherent, or to quite understand his position.

He talked about being in the Transvaal, and being stuck up by the Boers, whom he had accordingly fired at.

In reply to the constable he also stated that he remembered having ” three rums ” that night, and was not quite sure how he got as far as Rushcutter’s Bay, since he resided in Sydney.

At the Paddington Police Court to-day, before Mr. Isaacs, S.M., Willis was charged with maliciously shooting at Benjamin Bernard, with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and a remand being asked for by the police, the case was adjourned till Thursday next.

The accused is a small man, of rather depressed appearance. There was nothing about him that would suggest him as a formidable opponent for the Boers. His memory of the events of Saturday night is very confused, and he can give no coherent account of the proceedings on that occasion.

The revolver is an old one, and bears on it the imprint, ” Presse, Laloux, and Cie, Liege. ”

Three discharged cartridges were found in it, and one undischarged.

Signature spurious, witness says

SYDNEY: A second handwriting witness gave evidence in the District Criminal Court yesterday at the trial of Mr Ian Sinclair, a former Cabinet Minister, that signatures on the 1975 annual returns of three funeral companies were spurious.

Mr James Buglio, of Balgowlah Heights, told the court there were 15 gross dissimilarities between the genuine signature of Mr George M. Sinclair and those on the annual company returns.

Mr George Sinclair was auditor and financial controller of the three funeral companies and the father of Mr Ian Sinclair. He died in January, 1976.

Mr Ian Sinclair has pleaded not guilty to three charges of forging and three of uttering, each with intent to defraud, and three of making false statements in the annual returns.

The funeral companies are Allan Walsh (Hornsby) Pty Ltd, Allan Walsh Pty Ltd of Chatswood and G. Beavan Pty Ltd of Bowral.

Last Tuesday a police handwriting witness, Detective-Sergeant Denis Wardrobe, gave evidence that the signatures of Mr George M. Sinclair on the three company returns were not genuine. He could not say who was the author of the signatures.

Mr Buglio, a private document examiner, said many facets of the spurious signatures were totally alien to the writer of the genuine signatures.

There was poor line quality caused by the lack of speed in writing and indications that the pen had been lifted from the paper and then carefully replaced.

Mr Jack Hiatt, QC, for the Crown,

asked Mr Buglio whether the characteristics of the spurious signatures could

have been caused by the writer being seriously ill or having drugs, medication

or alcohol.

Mr Buglio said that this was ” extremely remote ” and ” nigh on impossible “. One would expect some deterioration, but there would still be some writing habits.

“You would not expect that a sick person would have the visual activity nor muscular control to replace the pen when it had been lifted”, he said.

In reply to Mr Murray Gleeson, QC, for Mr Sinclair, he agreed he had not known when he gave evidence at committal proceedings in January that cheques

used as a comparison to the annual returns were signed about a week before the date they bore.

The trial will continue today.

5 — Forged signature alleged

On 12th April 1976 Ian Sinclair filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission Annual Returns for the year ended 31st December 1975 for Allan Walsh Chatswood, Allan Walsh Hornsby and G. Beavan.

These Returns were handwritten, all the writing on them being his writing with the exception of some signatures. The Returns contained information that each company held an Annual General Meeting on 31st December 1975 and that accounts were laid before each Annual General Meeting. In fact, no Annual General meeting of any of these companies was held on 31st December 1975 and no accounts could have been presented as none had been prepared. Ian Sinclair, at the time he filed these documents, was well aware of both these matters.

Each Return contains in it a certificate purporting to have been signed by George Sinclair as auditor of the company, certifying that the accounts for the year ended 30th June 1975 of each company had been audited.

When I took evidence from Mrs Dunkerley [ an employee of Mr George Sinclair ] she expressed doubts about the genuineness of the signature “George M. Sinclair” on the 1975 Annual Return of G. Beavan. I also showed the signatures on these documents to Miss Rene Jones who had worked for George Sinclair for forty-four years and who was familiar with his signature. She expressed doubt about these signatures, but was not certain.

I first asked Ian Sinclair about the signatures on the 1975 Annual Return of G. Beavan when I took evidence from him on 3rd July 1978. He identified for me his signatures on that document, and pointing then to the signature “George M. Sinclair” he said:

“That is my father’s signature, George Sinclair, Auditor. This is while he was ill, yes, that’s my signature.

Q. That’s your signature.

A. My signature as Director and my father’s as auditor. This was made up while my father was critically ill, and, I am afraid, only partly able to communicate.

Q. Can you recall when that document was prepared?

A. It would have been prepared at the time of my father’s serious illness

before his death.

Q. As I understand it, your father was seriously ill for some considerable time.

A. That’s right, but I mean this was in the last days. This was made up to 31st December. It was signed by him, this is certainly his signature here, George M. Sinclair, and it was prepared, it would have been before his death. In other words it was the beginning of January. It is a fairly faint hand at that stage”.

On 26th January 1979 I read out to Ian Sinclair what Mrs Dunkerley said about the signature on the G. Beaven Return for 1975, and he said, although I did not specifically ask him a question about this signature:

“My query is that I certainly had not signed my father’s signature on anything and I am concerned that there seems to be a suggestion with Exhibit 82 that it’s not his signature. I certainly didn’t put it there and I am at a loss to understand who would have put it there if my father didn’t put it there and that’s why I’m concerned”.

Later on the same day he said: “I certainly have not signed my father’s signature on anything at any time and if I ever have, and I didn’t in this instance, I’ve always put pp. I. Sinclair or I.S. or such. I haven’t on any of these documents for any of these companies”.

Since I commenced my Inquiry I have obtained possession of hundreds of cheques bearing the signature of George Sinclair, and I have seen his writing on numerous other documents. The three signatures, “George M. Sinclair”, on three Annual Returns appeared to me to be quite unlike the signature of George M. Sinclair found, for example, on the cheques in his personal account. On 26th July 1979 I showed these three original Annual Returns to Ian Sinclair, drawing his attention to the signatures purporting to be those of his father, and I asked him to tell me when those signatures were put on the documents. He told me that these documents were among papers left by his father at the time of his death, that his father had told him he had started to prepare the Annual returns and he wanted him to conclude them and file them.

Ian Sinclair told me that he had found these documents some time after the death of his father, i.e. after 20th January 1976.

When I asked him to point out to me the handwriting of his father on any portion of these documents he was unable to do so, and said that the signature was not exactly like his father’s normal signature but he presumed that they were signed before he died.

When I put to him that, apart from the signatures on these documents, all details were written by him, in his own handwriting, he agreed except that the ruling out of irrelevant portions of the forms was done by somebody else as, according to him, he did not have a ruler. He said that he had had discussions with his father about these companies and had believed that everything was in order, although he realised, in fact, no Annual General Meetings had been held and no accounts had been presented. He also agreed that what he was putting to me was that he had found three bland documents with the only writing on them being, in each case, the signature “George M. Sinclair”. He said that they weren’t just blank documents, however, as they were connected with papers relating to each of these three companies, and it was because of that that he was able to fill in the details on them.

There are in my custody files of George Sinclair relating to each of these three companies, Each file contains, amongst other things, in George Sinclair’s own handwriting information which was apparently included in the 1974 Annual Return of the company. Ian Sinclair told me that these documents were with a lot of other documents relating to these companies at his mother’s house. I asked him specifically whether he placed the signature “George M. Sinclair” on any of these documents and he denied doing this, claiming these signatures were on the documents when he found them and that the documents, apart from the signatures “George M. Sinclair” were, in each instance, blank.

When I put to him that he had lodged the documents without checking whether an audit had been carried out or an Annual General Meeting had been held, he told me that he presumed an audit had been carried out for each company be cause his father signed the form as auditor. He also said that his father’s signature varied from time to time and that he sometimes left things in blank. He again added that he knew the accounts had not been completed and an Annual General Meeting had not been held.

In the bundles of papers made available to me there was a file of George Sinclair’s containing a number of blank Annual Returns; none of these had been signed. The Annual Return of Sinclair Pastoral Company which was typed and signed by George Sinclair as auditor was filed on 15th January 1976, something which turned out to be of some significance.

I found it difficult to accept Ian Sinclair’s evidence that he had found three Annual Returns which were blank except for the signatures of his father and that he thereby felt en titled, because they were connected with documents to the companies, to complete them and file them. Although he knew that none of the companies had held an Annual General Meeting no accounts had been presented, and, obviously, despite his denials, that no accounts had been audited, he still lodged documents. Even if this explanation were true, it says little for his sense of responsibility as a director of these companies (as he believed himself to be) to file documents in such circumstances. I also found it difficult to reconcile this evidence with the evidence given by him on 3rd July 1978 that the 1975 G. Beavan Annual Return was prepared before the death of his father and that the signature “George M. Sinclair” was “certainly” the signature of his father.

Since I was not satisfied with these explanations, and the signature “George M. Sinclair” on these Annual Returns did not appear to me to be genuine, I arranged for Det Sgt Denis William Wardrobe, the Officer-in-Charge of the Document Examination Unit, Scientific Investigation Section of NSW Police Force, to examine these signatures and to compare them with signatures of George Sinclair on cheques signed by him. I also invited Det Sgt Wardrobe to compare the signatures with the signature “George M. Sinclair” appearing on the 1975 Annual return for Sinclair Pastoral Company. Det Sgt Wardrobe, after he had carried out his examination, told me that the signatures “George M. Sinclair” appearing on the Annual Returns of Allan Walsh Chatswood, Allan Walsh Hornsby and G. Beavan were not genuine signatures and bore the elements of forgery. He said that they lacked speed, were slowly written, shown by hesitancy, that the size of the letters was not constant, that they varied quite considerably, that they were written slowly and less skilfully than the signatures on each of the cheques, showing some similarity with the genuine signatures, and said that the only logical conclusions that he could find from the examination was that somebody has either had a genuine signature from which to copy or it was copied from memory by somebody who knew the signature of the person involved.

Amongst other signatures looked at by Det Sgt Wardrobe were signatures on cheques signed by George Sinclair within a few days of his death on 20th January 1976. In his opinion, none of those signatures showed any loss of fluency, despite the fact that they were written by a person close to death….

At the request of McGormly [ Mr Ian Sinclair’s counsel ] I permitted Ian Sinclair to have the signatures and documents examined by Det Sgt Wardrobe looked at by Mrs Patricia Schutz, a person who is a qualified handwriting expert. She examined these signatures, without being made aware of Det Sgt Wardrobe’s finding, and came to exactly the same conclusions as he did….

[ The documents ] were filed months after his father’s death and at a time when he realised that the affairs of these companies were in a mess. He obviously felt it necessary to file the documents himself; otherwise, he could have asked Mr Haylen, who was already at work trying to prepare accounts for these companies, to file them….

I do not accept Ian Sinclair’s explanation that, after his father’s death, he found three blank documents with three signatures purporting to be his father’s, although not looking like them, connected with three bundles of papers concerning the three companies. I also do not accept that these documents were completed before his father’s death and singed by his father. The circumstances of the matter, his unacceptable and inconsistent explanations, the lack of motive on the part of anyone else, including his father, to forge these signatures, coupled with his filling in and lodging documents he knew to be false, convinced me that these signatures were forgeries and that he was the author of them. It follows from this that I regard his denials to me as being false,, and deliberately so.