The Argus at KellyGang 5/8/1882
THE POLICE COMMISSION
At yesterday's sitting of the Police Commission, Inspector Secretan was cross examined by Detective Foster and ex-Detective Rourke with regard to statements made by him against their characters. One of Mr. Secretan's allegations was that Detective Foster some seven or eight years ago stole two rings belonging to a woman named Annie O'Shanassy, whom be arrested at Sandhurst. The woman was apprehended on suspicion of having committed a robbery, and she handed over all her jewellery to Foster. It was proved that she was not guilty, and her property was returned, but she said that Foster kept her two rings. The Sandhurst police endeavoured to substantiate her charge, but it fell to the ground, and Foster now produced the sworn evidence of the woman that her property was all returned. Mr Secretan, on reading the documents produced, said they altered his opinion on the subject.
With regard to Rourke, Mr Secretan said that, when he was a third class detective, Rourke, who was then in the second class, 'did him out' of a sum of money in a reward case Mr Rourke now submitted cor- respondence which told a different tale, and apparently disproved the charge to the satisfaction of the commission. It further appears that Mr Secretan withdrew this charge. Detective Foster on the other hand charged Mr Secretan with having improperly received a sum of money from a lady who resided in Toorak. The lady referred to was deprived of some jewellery by a relative, and the jewellery having been found by the detectives in a pawnshop she did not with the case proceeded with. The matter was hushed up, and Foster said that Mr Secretan received and accepted a cheque for £5 from the lady for his kindness. Mr Secretan admitted that he did receive a cheque from the lady for £5, but explained that it was expended in recovering the jewellery roster, however, alleged that there were two cheques for £5, and another sum of 25s received, and that this could be proved by the production of the lady's letter book. Mr Secretan then denied that there was a second £5, or that he received any consideration for his services.
Foster, however, adhered to his statement, and was directed by the com- mission to make and file an affidavit on the subject. Detectives Duncan and Mackey were examined with reference to the report made by Detective O'Callaghan against Duncan , which is missing. Neither of them was able to give any clue to its whereabouts. Detective Kidney, who was also present, remarked that if the commission sat till Doomsday they would never get at the truth of this matter and he was therefore ordered to appear before the commission this morning, to be examined on oath. The whole day was occupied with personalities.
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