The Argus at KellyGang 13/12/1882 (2)
The CHAIRMAN -Oh, we cannot allow this. It is the most cowardly thing ever done-a ruffianly thing.
The witness further examined by O'Callaghan, said that a silver watch a chest of tea, a small piece of silk and some feathers and a clock, all of which articles were stolen properly, were found in her house. She received them from lodgers-from Watson, Bird, and Walsh. Her present husband was named Arnold . She had given her name as Lamb, because she was best known by it. A statement she had made, and which had been handed in to the committee, bore the signature "George Lamb" as that of a witness. The man who signed that name was Arnold, her husband who did not wish his own name to appear in the matter.
Detective O'Callaghan - Where is Joseph Lamb now?
Witness-Ah, what could give to know that? I decline to answer any such question.
Detective O'Callaghan - Were you not cautioned by the City Bench in consequence of the way you gave your evidence there?
The Chairman and Messrs Hill and Dixon interfered again and a warm discussion ensued, in which O'Callaghan firmly maintained that he was quite entitled to expose the character of the testimony which had been received against him. During this discussion the chairman remarked that on the one side they had criminals and on the other detectives, and that there was a difficulty in distinguishing between them; and he brought it to a close by declaring that O'Callaghan was wholly unfit for the position of a detective.
Geo Humphries, jewel salesman examined by Detective O'Callaghan, gave evidence as to a jewellery robbery in 1881 at Mr Webster's jewellery shop. He detailed the circumstances of the robbery, the action taken by Detectives O'Callaghan and Nixon, and the recovery of the stolen property through Detectives Ward and O'Callaghan. He stated that information as to this robbery had been obtained by the detectives from Walsh and that he heard that ex Detective Foster offered money to Walsh to induce him to give evidence before the commission.
Joseph Connolly, defective gave evidence as to the robbery at the Technological Museum last year and as to his making an examination of the museum afterwards in company with Detective O'Callaghan. The detectives, he said went subsequently to Walsh's, whose place of residence had been shepherded for some time. The place was searched, and on some shelves above a cup- board witness found a large uncut diamond rolled in tissue paper.
Walsh here said to witness- "No one saw you find it, you put it there yourself"
Detective Nixon interposed that he saw Witness find it.
At this stage the commission interrupted the witness and represented that the evidence was not material, as it was admitted that the diamonds were found in Walsh's house, he stating that they were put there by the detectives.
Witness went on to say that some gold and amalgam and nitric and were found in the same place. The man Charles Taylor was not in the house at the time. It was by a mere accident that witness carne to examine the shelves. It was not by a prior arrangement among the detectives. He had no intimation whatever as to diamonds being likely to be found, nor did Defective O'Callaghan give any instructions, as had been stated, to the other detectives. Walsh said that Taylor was one of the perpetrators of the museum robbery. Walsh also accused Taylor of having taken the diamonds, which Taylor denied. Both men were tried for the robbery. Witness also gave evidence as to an occurrence which took place on the 9th of last month, when Walsh surrendered himself at the detective office and asked if there was any warrant for him as he was leaving for the country. Detective O'Callaghan told him then that it would look bad if he left town while charges which he had made against the detectives were about to be investigated. O'Callaghan uttered no threat, nor did he make any effort whatever to affect his (Walsh's) evidence before the commission. On the contrary he advised Walsh to stop and support his case.
To Mr DIXON -He could not say whether it would have been possible for some person to have placed the diamonds where they were found in Walsh's place while witness was temporarily out of the room, but Walsh and a woman were in the room nearly all the time. He had no knowledge whatever of Detectives O'Callaghan and Nixon having been drinking together with Walsh on the day before Walsh's house was searched Witness gave some further information corroborative of his previous evidence in reply to Detective Nixon, and also replied to some questions put by Walsh.
Alexander D Wilson, detective, gave evidence as to his "shepherding" the house of Walsh subsequent to the Webster jewellery robbery and as to his watching Walsh's movements for some time. He corroborated Detective Connolly's evidence, and stated that he had obtained from Walsh the number of a watch which had been stolen. The two men Taylor and Walsh were both tried at the game time. The strongest evidence was given against both, and there was no attempt on the part of the detectives to soresn Taylor , as was insinuated. On the contrary, Taylor was re-attested immediately after his acquittal.
The commission adjourned till next morning at 11 o'clock.
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