The Police Force as a Career

FORMER Inspector of Police Charles Turbet, who died in retirement in Sydney last week, was an example of what may be attained by those who take to police work as a career. ( The most prominent on hand in that way is, of course, the Chief, Mr. Childs, who, a youth from, the country, joined up, and, adding brains to physique, became Commissioner ).

A policeman’s life nowadays is capable of greater acceptance of ability and hard work than it was half a century ago, and those who add strings to their bow have fine opportunities. Mr. Turbet was one of the class that assiduously pursues the side lines and aids. He learned shorthand, and became of great value in that way. He also had a hand in the introduction of the priceless finger-print system.

When he became Superintendent of Traffic he was reaching the topmost branches of the tree, but ill-health had its claim on him. He was 59 years of age.

OBITUARY.

SUPERINTENDENT TURBET.

The funeral of Superintendent Turbet took place on Friday. There was a large gathering of officers and men of the Police Department.

The interment at Randwick Cemetery was preceded by a service at the Randwick Presbyterian Church, conducted by the Rev. W. G. Grant, who was assisted by the Rev. T. Jamieson Williams.

The chief mourners were Mrs. Turbet (widow), and Messrs. Charles Turbet, James Turbet, and Norman Turbet (sons), and Mesdames Robey and Martin (daughters), Messrs. Robert and Walter Turbet (brothers), Mrs. Tom Waterson, Miss L. Turbet, and Mrs. Mark Garner (sisters), Messrs. Arthur Robinson, Tom Waterson, R. Y. Robinson, and Mark Garner (brothers-in-law), Mesdames A. Raynor, A. Edwards, G. Raynor, and G. Carpenter (sisters-in-law), Messrs. L. Robey, and J. A. Martin (sons-in-law), and Master Lance Robey ( grandson ).

Others present included the Commissioner of Police (Mr. Childs), Acting Superintendent Linegar (representing Metropolitan Superintendent Leary), Inspector Pattinson (representing Inspector Mackay, Criminal Investigation branch), Superintendent Bennetts (Traffic Department), ex-Inspector Thom (representing ex-Superintendent Saunders, president, Retired Police Officers’ Association), Chief Fire Officer Nance (representing Fire Brigades of New South Wales), Mr. Gordon Henderson (secretary), and Mr. W. J. McKinney (representing Royal Automobile Club of Australia). Alderman Jennings (Mayor of Randwick), Alderman J. Dunningham, M.L.A., Messrs. W. K. Percival (town clerk), and K. C. Rourke (deputy town clerk of Randwick) Inspectors Lynch, Farley and O’Brien, Messrs. H. H. Newell (deputy president), and S. R. Henderson (deputy member, Main Roads Board), Mr. I. B. Hodgson, Inspectors J. Scott, G. Mortimer, Rosen, W. J. Jones, ex-Superintendents Park, Brack, Edward, George Mitchell, May, John Cook, Lewis (secretary, Retired Police Officers’ Association), Nolan, Whitfield, Banks, ex-Inspectors Jones, Bannan, Maze, Devlin, A. Campbell, Manktelow, Sherwood, R. Bennett, Fullerton, W. J. Spence, Fowler, Briggs, Ewen, Doig, Littlejohn, Taylor, Robinson, Young, C. Smith, and Priddle; Messrs. W. G. Cox, ex-Detective-sergeant Jordan, M. W. McDonald, Oliver C. Cohen (Government Savings Bank, Randwick), S. F. Cutler, Charles M. Pearce, Detective-sergeants James and Quinn, Detective Almond, Messrs. Ross Jones, J. Pemell, W. Crawford, A. Kay, W. Matchett, Mr. and Mrs. William Duff, Messrs. Gordon Duff, W. J. Spence (Wollongong), John Yardley, ex-Detective-sergeant May, ex-Sergeants Bennett and Blair, and ex-Detective Jordon.

There were many beautiful floral tributes, among them being those of the Traffic Department, the New South Wales Police Association, officers and detectives of the Criminal Investigation branch and various metropolitan police divisions, the Minister and Session of the Presbyterian Church of Randwick, the Royal Automobile Club of Australia, and the Master Carriers’ Association.

POLICE PALS

DEATH PARTS TWO IN TWO DAYS

WITHIN two days, death has robbed the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Childs, of two personal friends, who were formerly associated with him in the force.

The ex-superintendent of Traffic, Mr. Charles Turbet, died on Wednesday night, and ex-Superintendent John Evans, who retired 18 years ago, passed away at the Sydney Sanitarium, Wahroonga, last night.

Mr. Turbet was an old schoolmate of Mr. Childs, and Mr. Evans was closely associated with the Commissioner during his early days in the service.

Mr. Evans retired at Tamworth 11 years ago, and then bought a home at Pymble, in which he resided up to the time of his death. He had a record of long and valuable service. He was stationed at Tingha, in the tin mining area, and at Richmond River in the cattle stealing days. He was associated with many important cases, including the Wardell murder, which attracted much attention.

Mr. Childs met Mr. Evans, who was then the sergeant in charge at Armidale, 30 years ago. The present Commissioner was then serving in the town as district clerk to Superintendent Garvin, who rose to the office now occupied by Mr. Childs.

Before joining the service in N.S.W., Mr. Evans served with the Cornish police, in which he was a colleague of the late Inspector Sobye.

PERSONAL

Many old police officers attended the funeral of former Superintendent John Evans at the Northern Suburbs Cemetery, Sydney, on Monday ( 31 March 1930 ).

Mr. Evans, who retired from the force 18 years ago, had requested that his coffin should be carried to the graveside by old comrades. Mr. W. H. Childs, the Commissioner of Police, who was one of Mr. Evans’s oldest friends, acted as one of the pall bearers. Former Superintendent W. F. Dimond was another.

EX-SUPERINTENDENT EVANS.

Ex-Superintendent John Evans, aged 78, who died at Wahroonga on Thursday, was buried at the Northern Suburbs Cemetery on Saturday.

At the request of the deceased, the body was carried to the graveside by several of his old police friends.

The pall-bearers were the Commissioner of Police (Mr. Childs), ex-Superintendents Cook, Diamond, and Lewis, and ex-Inspectors Fowler and Flynn. Among those present were ex-Inspectors Spence, Cameron, Hogan, and ex-Sergeant Coward, and Drs. Humphery, Freeman, and Sherwood.

The chief mourners were his widow, Mr. Henry Evans, his son, who is a district surveyor of West Wyalong, and Mr. and Mrs. Catcher, son-in-law and daughter.

The service was conducted by the Rev. H. J. Campbell.

POLICE PALS

DEATH PARTS TWO IN TWO DAYS

WITHIN two days, death has robbed the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Childs, of two personal friends, who were formerly associated with him in the force.

The ex-superintendent of Traffic, Mr. Charles Turbet, died on Wednesday night, and ex-Superintendent John Evans, who retired 18 years ago, passed away at the Sydney Sanitarium, Wahroonga, last night.

Mr. Turbet was an old schoolmate of Mr. Childs, and Mr. Evans was closely associated with the Commissioner during his early days in the service.

Mr. Evans retired at Tamworth 11 years ago, and then bought a home at Pymble, in which he resided up to the time of his death. He had a record of long and valuable service. He was stationed at Tingha, in the tin mining area, and at Richmond River in the cattle stealing days. He was associated with many important cases, including the Wardell murder, which attracted much attention.

Mr. Childs met Mr. Evans, who was then the sergeant in charge at Armidale, 30 years ago. The present Commissioner was then serving in the town as district clerk to Superintendent Garvin, who rose to the office now occupied by Mr. Childs.

Before joining the service in N.S.W., Mr. Evans served with the Cornish police, in which he was a colleague of the late Inspector Sobye.

DEATH

EVANS. — On August 5, 1912, at Exeter, England, Kizia Phillips, beloved wife of Superintendant John Evans, of Tamworth aged 57 years.

Forty Years in the Police Force.

SUPERINTENDENT EVANS’ CAREER.

On Saturday last ( 9 March 1912 ) there retired from the police force of New South Wales Superintendent John Evans, who on Sunday reached the age of 60 years. For some time prior to his retirement Superintendent Evans was stationed at Tamworth, in charge of the North-Western district, but there are still many living in this district who will remember him when, back in the 80’s ( 1880s ), he was stationed on the Richmond, at Ballina and Casino, and some years later at Lismore. The retiring Superintendent has just concluded a long and honorable service of 70 years in the cause of law and order. His police experience was not wholly gained in Australia. He has to thank the Cornish constabulary for a good initial grounding. At the age of 20, full of life and energy, he joined the force in Cornwall in 1872, remaining in the service three years. He had great admiration for his old chief and when the call of Australia came to him, his superior officer remarked : ” What, going to Australia to shoot kangaroos ? ” Evidently the colonies were not then associated with anything much more than kangaroos, and no doubt with blacks and bush rangers. Perhaps the spirit of adventure was deeply developed in the young officer, who, by the way, had gained the distinction of being one of the best wrestlers of the corps. The members of the constabulary gave their late comrade a hearty send-off on his voyage to distant shores.

A bosom friend of Constable Evans in the Cornish constabulary was Constable Sobye, now Sub-Inspector Sobye, of No. 1 Station, Clarence street, Sydney. They resigned at the same time, and journeyed to Australia together.

Superintendent Evans landed at Melbourne, where he had relatives, and after spending a few months in Victoria, made his way to Sydney, and in March, 1876, was accepted as a member of the N.S. Wales police force, being sent in the usual course to the depot. He did not remain long there, however. The authorities saw that he already possessed the training of a constable, and so, a fortnight after joining, he was sent to Armidale for duty. In 18 months’ time he was promoted to first-class constable, and placed in charge of Armidale stables, becoming senior mounted man. In another six months‘ time — the latter end of 1878 — he was transferred to Inverell, where he took up the duties of Sergeant Farnsworth ( retired ) under Sub-Inspector Harrison. Both these officers are now dead.

Shortly after Constable Evans went to Inverell, robberies from drunken men were of almost nightly occurrence. The officer determined to end them. Two or three men were suspected, but they managed to escape the clutches of the law till the wily officer arranged a trap. He himself lay down near a man he discovered drunk in the gutter, and by-and-bye two men came along. The night was light enough for the officer to distinguish their features, and when they commenced operating on the drunken man the disguised officer suddenly sprang up. The robbers were not mild characters, and they immediately started an assault on the constable. They gave him a bad time, but the officer, too, gave them a rough handling in attempting their arrest. The odds were too great against him, however, and they got away, but were speedily captured by other police, and subsequently received the reward for their misdeeds. The injuries sustained by Evans on this occasion were so severe that he was taken to the hospital in an unconscious state, remaining a patient for six weeks. While in the station he received notice of his promotion to the position of Senior Constable.

Gambling was rife at Tingha, some miles distant. Periodically, raids were made by the Inverell, Tingha, and other police. One night was particularly eventful. Thirty or forty Chinese had been arrested, and were on their way to Tingha lockup, when Senior-constable Evans was informed of the whereabouts of the ” keeper, ” who had made his escape by bursting through a window on detecting the approach of the police. The officer and the informer proceeded to the place, and found their man all right. They also found about 300 yelling, infuriated Chinamen. The presence of an informer and an officer of the law roused them to a great pitch of excitement, and they rushed the two, brandishing all kinds of weapons. It was an unenviable position for the officer and his companion. The constable fought for his life, and knocked the Chinese down like nine-pins, using both baton and fist. Still the Celestials came on, but many were felled to the ground. One particularly daring fellow he caught by the ‘pigtail,’ and held him, at the same time fighting the others with his right hand.

A Chinaman, wild with rage, here rushed at the officer with a cleaver. With a yell he raised the weapon, but a white man who had appeared on the scene, struck the blow aside. It was just in the nick of time, and the constable’s life was saved. Other whites hurried up, and the police, who had gone on to the lock-up with the prisoners, having heard of the occurrence, came galloping back. The Chinese were soon got under control, and more of their number, including the ‘ keeper,’ kept company with their compatriots in the cells.

Mr. G. H. Parker, who still lives at Tingha, was one of those who went to Constable Evans‘ assistance. If ever there was a time the policeman was tempted to draw the revolver it was on this occasion, but he refrained.

Senior-Constable Evans remained at Inverell until 1884, when he was transferred to Ballina, being stationed at that place for three years. His next shift was to Casino, having been selected to come here in consequence of his success in stock-stealing cases, by the late Inspector General of Police, Mr. Garvin, who at the time was superintendent in charge of the northern districts. A good deal of stock stealing had been going on in the Casino district, and it was Superintendent Garvin‘s opinion that the then Senior-constable Evans was the man to stamp it out. And he did. He came to Casino with the rank of sergeant, and soon got on the tracks of the offenders. Two of them, after their release from gaol, said good-bye to New South Wales, and crossed into Queensland, one being subsequently executed in the northern State on a charge of murder.

The Casino district was thoroughly cleared of crime in the shape of thefts of stock, and in 1894 Sergeant Evans was sent back to Armidale as senior-sergeant. Six years later he was promoted to the position of sub-inspector in charge of Inverell sub-district. In 1904 he was transferred to a similar position at Lismore.

During his career Superintendent Evans dealt with many serious cases. One of considerable interest occurred during his stay at Lismore. Two Hindoos were concerned, and after a lapse of five years the conscience of one troubled him, and he informed the police that his companion had committed murder, and concealed the body. The spot was pointed out, and sure enough the remains of a human being were brought to light. The Hindoo who committed the crime was sentenced to imprisonment for life.

Three years ago, Inspector Evans was sent to Tamworth, as superintendent of the north-western district, and he has administered the division with tact, resourcefulness, and ability, gaining at the same time the respect of the people. Shortly after his arrival at Tamworth he attended the annual meeting of the Prisoners’ Aid Association, and the opportunity was taken advantage of to give him a welcome. At that meeting a leading Sydney barrister described Superintendent Evans as ” a terror to evil doers.”

Superintendent Evans is a splendid horseman. In his prime days he has often been in the saddle for a couple of days at a time, in the chase for desperadoes. He took part in the pursuit of the Breelong blacksmith who spent many a day and night in the bush in search of a robber, ? ‘the hairy man,’ whose name was ? Burns. Superintendent Evans did not know how he came to be called the hairy man, for he was ? means possessed of a sup? dance of hair ; but he knows he committed many robberies in the Bundarra district, and had a habit of sticking up the mail coach. The ‘hairy man‘ was captured by a constable named Byrne, who came across him seated on a log, with two revolvers alongside him.

When Superintendent Evans had more direct charge of the constables — when, for instance, he was sergeant – it was his practice ( says the author of this sketch of his career ) to call a new man into his office, and give him a few words of advice. The first thing he impressed upon the recruit was to be truthful, pointing out that the liberties and lives of people often rested in the hands of constables. ” Don’t make a statement unless you are absolutely sure it is true,” was the officer’s warning.

Superintendent Evans, with Mrs. Evans and his daughter, will leave Sydney on March 27 by tho Otranto, on a trip to England, where he hopes to renew old associations.

CHARGE OF TRESPASS.

A CONSTABLE SUMMONED.

Constable Michael R. Hennessy was proceeded against at the Central Summons Court on an information alleging that, on the 10th Inst., he, without lawful excuse, entered the enclosed lands of Charlie Young, 58 Campbell-street, without the consent of the occupier, Charlie Young, or of the person in charge, Ah Chong. Defendant pleaded not guilty.

Mr. J. J. Carroll ( Messrs. Crick and Carroll ) appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Mant ( Crown Law Office ) for the defence. Charlie Young, a Chinese, who spoke English fluently, said he lived at 58 Campbell-street, and was a commission agent for market gardeners. He was the owner of the premises. He did not give the defendant permission to enter the premises on the 10th Inst. On that day witness went out at about five minutes to 1, leaving Ah Chong in charge, and returned about ten minutes later. Ah Chong then “told him something, ” and witness laid the information. Cross-examined, witness said that he used to sell pak-a-pu tickets, but had not done so since the passage of the new Act. There were a lot of pak-u-pu tickets under the counter, but witness did not use them. There was a result of an old pak-a-pu drawing on the wall when the police entered the premises. Defendant had not cautioned witness about selling pak-a-pu tickets. Ah Chong, a cook, stated through an interpreter that when the defendant entered witness was standing at the end of the counter. Defendant opened a drawer, | took out some papers, and tore them up, and said ” These are old pak-a-pu tickets. ” Defendant said that he went to the premises on special duty in connection with pak-a-pu shops. The

place was open to the public, and he believed he had a right to enter. Witness had been there before and no objection had been made to his entering. On entering witness said to Ah Chong, ” I see you are playing pak-a-pu. I saw a white man leaving the shop. ” There were pak-a-pu tickets on the counter, and Ah Chong, on seeing witness, tried to put them into a drawer. Witness said ” You had better tear them up. They are pak-a-pu tickets, ” and Ah Chong said ” All li, me tearem up,” and did so. There was also pak-a-pu results posted on the wall, and Ah Chong tore these. witness destroyed nothing in the shop. The complainant, called in reply, said that certain tickets produced were torn up by the defendant. The backs of these tickets were used by witness for making business memoranda. . At this stage it was agreed that the evidence in this case should be taken as evidence in a case wherein the defendant was proceeded against by Charlie Young on a charge of having maliciously damaged, to the extent of £4 10s certain personal property of the complainant, namely, several sheets of paper containing memoranda of accounts and business transactions. Charlie Young, re-called, gave particulars of certain items written on the backs of tire tickets. He did not give instructions to Ah Chong or anyone else to tear up valuables belonging to him. Evidence was given for the defence by Senior constable Orr and Constable McGannon.

His Worship dismissed both informations.

GROWN WITNESS DENIES POLICE EVIDENCE

Assault and Robbery Charge CONFLICTING STATEMENTS IN MATTER OF DRINKS

THERE was an excessive conflict of evidence presented to the Police Magistrate, Mr. M. J. Ryan, at the Forbes Petty Sessions on Tuesday when an assault and robbery case was heard. The defendant was one, John Clement Hay, aged 21, who was charged with the assault and robbery of his friend, Thomas Henry Roberts, in a lavatory in the backyard of the Club House Hotel, Forbes, on the afternoon of Saturday, March 20. Hay pleaded not guilty to the charge. At the conclusion of the Crown case, Mr. Meillon, who appeared for Hay, submitted to the P.M. that no case had been made out against his client, and asked that he be discharged. Mr. Ryan maintained that a prima facie case of assault had been submitted by the police, and amended the charge to one of common assault. Later he convicted Hay and imposed a fine of £2, with £4/11/8 costs.

Mr. R. Meillon appeared for the defendant, and the Crown case was in | the hands of Inspector D. O’Connell.

CROWN CASE

John Keith McLean, constable of police stationed at Forbes, stated that at about 3.30 o’clock on the afternoon of March 20, as a result of something he was told, he proceeded to Johnson Street, Forbes, accompanied by Constable Reeves. He saw the accused, Hay sitting in a motor lorry in front of his home. He told the defendant he wanted to see him. Hay got out of the lorry and walked a few yards away. He then informed defendant that he was making enquiries concerning a man named Roberts, who said he had been assaulted and robbed by him in the backyard of the Club House Hotel that afternoon. Roberts claimed that he had been relieved of £2/10/ from the fob pocket of his trousers. In reply the defendant denied that he had either assaulted or robbed Roberts. Continuing, the witness stated that he asked Hay if he had seen Roberts that afternoon, and the former replied that he had seen Roberts that morning when they had had a few drinks together, later going to Hay’s home for dinner. Asked if he would go to the Police Station and see Roberts, the defendant said he would. They did so, and on being confronted with Hay, Roberts said, “That is the man who assaulted and robbed me this afternoon.” The defendant made no reply. Prior to going to the Police Station, said McLean, he had asked the defendant if he had gone to the Club House Hotel that afternoon, and if he had gone into the lavatory with Roberts. Hay said he had done so and that they had had a bit of an argument concerning some money Roberts owed a man named Gage. They were alone in the lavatory, Hay told him. After Hay arrived at the Police Station he was warned in the usual way and asked if he wished to make a statement, which he did ( produced ).

SHOWED SIGNS OF DRINK

At the time of his arrest, said witness, Hay showed definite signs of having had strong drink, but was not drunk. The trousers he was wearing bore stains which appeared to be blood. His underpants were similarly marked and there was blood on his left hand. Hay said he could not account for the stains. The trousers and shirt worn by Roberts were also stained with what appeared to be blood. The four articles of clothing were removed from both Roberts and Hay and taken to Sydney for analysis by Constable Hennessy. A certificate had been returned stating that the stains were made by human blood. Cross-questioned by Mr. Meillon, witness stated he first saw Roberts at the Police Station about 2.45. He came to the station alone and was not under arrest. He would not say that Roberts was drunk. He was not bleeding at the time he came to the station, but had a bruise and a scratch about half an inch long under the left eye. In his opinion the cut could account for the blood on his clothes. Further questioned by Mr. Meillon, McLean said he had made certain enquiries about Hay before he saw him in the lorry. The latter informed him that he was told the police were looking for him and he had gone home. Hay had definitely been drinking. In reply to a question by Inspector O’Connell, witness stated that defendant had no money in his pockets when arrested. Leslie Reeves, police constable, deposed that about 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, from something he was told, he accompanied a man named Roberts to the Police Station. Accompanied by Constable McLean, he later proceeded to Johnson Street and saw a man named Hay sitting in a motor lorry in front of his residence. McLean told Hay they were making enquiries concerning a man named Roberts who alleged that he (Hay) had assaulted and robbed him of 50/ that afternoon in the backyard of the Club House Hotel. Defendant denied the allegations. Witness then corroborated the evidence of Constable McLean regarding the conversation that took place with Hay. He, too, was of the opinion that the defendant had been drinking, but was not in what could be termed; a drunken state. In reply to questions by Mr. Meillon, Reeves stated he had first seen Roberts in Templar Street. He was not bleeding at the time, but there was blood on his nose and eye and his shirt was wet with blood. There were no marks on his face except the cut near the left eye. He did not tell Roberts he looked as if he had been fighting and had better come to the Police Station. Roberts did not have a coat and appeared as if he had been fighting. He did not arrest Roberts, but asked him to go to the station with him. Constable Michael R. Hennessy gave formal evidence of having taken the clothing removed from Hay and Roberts to Sydney for analysis.

INFORMANT’S STORY

Thomas Henry Roberts, a laborer, living at Sheriff Street, Forbes, stated he was a relief worker. On March 20 he went to the Town Hall to collect his pay (£3/0/2). He met Hay and William Gage there and after getting their pay the three of them went to the P.O. Hotel, where they had three which he owed him. Gage then left them and he accepted an invitation from Hay to go to his place for dinner. Hay had a bottle of whisky at his home and they had a couple of drinks from it. After dinner, Hay and he went to Jack Hanley’s place. Hanley was not at home, and they talked to Mrs. Hanley. Later, they went down the town and to the Club House Hotel, where they both proceeded to the lavatory in the back yard. While standing in the lavatory, continued Roberts, Hay punched him on the nose and mouth, and he was knocked against the wall. He put up his hands to protect his face when he felt something tugging at his trousers. He said, “Benny, what is the matter with you?” Hay did not reply. He then walked out of the lavatory to the back of the hotel, where the proprietor gave him rag and water to wash his face. In reply to questions by Inspector O’Connell, witness said he noticed his trousers were torn at the fob pocket. He had had 50/ in notes in the pocket. He did not see the defendant after leaving the lavatory. Later he walked into Templar Street, where he met Constable Reeves. He had a conversation with the constable and went to the Police Station. He made a statement to the police. The shirt produced was the one he was wearing at the time of the assault. There was 50/ in notes in the fob pocket of his trousers when he went into the Club House Hotel. He and the defendant were alone in the lavatory. To the PM., Roberts said that he and Hay had had four beers and two whiskies during the day. Cross-questioned by Mr. Meillon, Roberts stated that he and Hay had known each other practically all their lives. They had gone to school together and had always been on very friendly terms. He had only shouted once in the P.O. Hotel and had spent 1/6 there. He had no silver in his pocket when he went to the Police Station. He should have had 3/6 In silver, but did not know what had happened to it. Neither Hay or himself had had any drinks at the Club House. When he and Hay went to Hanley’s Mrs. Hanley did not tell them they were too drunk to go down the town.