A Sensational Affair.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 270, 20 May 1896, Page 2

A Sensational Affair.

DETECTIVE KIRBY ARRESTED. [Per Press Association. ' a ' Napiee, May 19. A most extraordinary and painfol sensation was created in town to day when the well known detective. Kirby, was arrested on a warrant from Welling* , ton charging him with haying "on or' about 1882 at Timaru feloniously threat-' ened to accuse one John Herman with »•" certain crime with a view to extort and gain money, and by threatening in a like manner did cause the said John Herman - t to sign two cheques valned at J6400 and' ' £300 respectively." The accused was brought before Mr Turnbull, S.M., this afternoon, when without offering any evidence Sergeant Donovan applied for a remand to Wellington, which was granted. Kirby applied for bail, substantial sureties being in waiting, bnt tbe Magistrate said he would give him * short remand to Wellington, where' be could take his chance of getting bailthere. • . It is understood that this is not aprivate prosecution, but undertaken at \ the instance of the Government. ' Herman at the date of the summons was in business as a tobacconist at ' Timaru, whence he returned only a few months ago. He was, it is said, met by an old friend who had a grudge againtt Kirby on account of an affair in Napier, and on hearing of tbe circumstances this friend communicated with the authorities, who after inquiries instituted tbe prosecution.