THE AUBURN TRAGEDY.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 818, 5 February 1903, Page 3

THE AUBURN TRAGEDY.

THE SHOOTING OF CONSTABLE LONG. Sydney, Jan. 26. At the Central Police Court, before Mr E. H. Wilshire, S.M., Digby Grand, 32, alias Newoold, alias Stephens, alias Ward, bootmaker, a native of Victoria; John Thomas Woolford, 27, butcher, and Albert Yeomans, 24, horse-trainer, were charged with having, in company, feloniously and maliciously murdered Constable Samuel William Long, at Auburn, on January 19th last.

Mr Cargill, of the Crown Law Office, appeared to prosecute ; Mr E. K. Abigail appeared for the accused Grand, Mr C. Bull for the accused Yeomans, whilst Woolford was not represented by a solicitor.

Joseph Daniel Gallagher, butcher, residing at Pino street, Sydney, in the course of his evidence, stated that Grand spoke to him about the Auburn matter. It was several days before Christmas. Gi

_rand asked him did he know a man named “ Snowy,” and he said “ No.” Accused then remarked that Woolford was his name, and witness stated that he knew him. Grand informed him that he was “ full ” of the “ game ” of getting stuff, and intended having a “ go ” at the “ red gilt.” Woolford had put the “ job ” at the Boyal Hotel, Auburn, up to him. He (Grand) said that he had been up there, and there was a safe in the hotel. Witness then told Grand that Woolford had informed him of the safe, and Grand replied, “It is right under tho end of the bar. It is as sweet as a nut. There is only a padlock between me and tho safe. After that conversation he went with Yeomans in a sulky on Boxing Bay, he believed it was, to Auburn. They got out at the Boyal Hotel and had a drink, and were there about twenty minutes. He then related how on Tuesday night, Jan. 20, he met Yeomans and two other mon. He had known Grand to say he would not go 10 yards without a revolver. The man who was with Grant on tho Parramatta road also carried one.

Tho three accused were remanded,

Wellington.—Sailod, 6 p.m., Kahu, for Gisborne. A single-tax enthusiast, who has been threatening to get into Parliament for close on thirty years, never loses an opportunity of sowing the seeds. The other day, in a Wairarapa town, ho remarked that a tax of a ponny in the pound would bring in a terrific revenuo. “ Yes, that’s orl right! ” remarked an intelligent listonor, “ but ’ow are you a goin’ to weigh the bloomin’ land '? ” —Lance. Just now it appears to bo the fashion in newspaper circles to bewail the resignation of Alt Tunbridge, the Police Commissioner. It seems to us, however, having given the question somo thought lately, that whatever may have caused the Commissioner to resign, whether ill-health or some other reason, the country is not going to experience such an irroparable loss as is suggested. It has been claimed by those who sing the praises of the resigning Commissioner that to him are due the reforms which have been carried out in the police force since he was appointed. To our mind this is an error, based upon the fallacy of “ post hoc ergo propter hoc.” The true originators of the reforms in the police force were Mr T. Taylor, M. H. R., and those who were working with him. It was due to him and them that the Commission which rovealed so many lines of weakness was appointed. Given the Commission and its results, reforms had to follow, and this whoever was Police Commissioner.—Napier Telegraph.