Ex-Detective Kirby.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 282, 4 June 1896, Page 2

Ex-Detective Kirby.

ARREST OF THE ABSCONDER IN SYDNEY. KIRBY MAKES A STATEMENT. ANOTHER PERSON IMPLICATED, (Per Press Association.) Wellington, June 3. A resident here reports that he saw Kirby, who was disguised, in Moleaworth street on Monday night, but the police think h unlikely, though they believe he is still in Wellington. It is stated that a large case was put on the Talune at the last moment, which went on top ot the rest of the cargo in the main hatch. The constable who was watching for Kirby remembers seeing this case, but there was nothing suspicious about it. A nephew of Kirby's wbb a passenger by the vessel. Kirby was by no means popular in the force, and had made himself extremely disliked by his conduct towards those he had to work with. By those who understand tho feeling towards him the idea of connivance by the police i 3 scouted. It is said there is only one policeman in the force suspected of having any sympathy with tho ex-detective. Sydney, This Day. Ex-Detactive Kirby was arrested here to-day. Later. Just before the sailing of the Tarawera. for Auckland yesterday the police were informed by one of the wharf hands that Kirby was an intending passenger. They accordingly watched the vessel, and noticed a shabbily dressed decrepit old man going on board. They examined him and found he had a deformed finger. Kirby saw the game waa up and confessed his identity. He became communicative, and said if be was in the mud some one very high up in New Zealand was in the mire too. He stated after he was released on bail he arranged for the trip to Sydney, and was taken ou board the Talune in the box found on her arrival in Sydney. The lid was secured by two bolts with nuts inside so tbat he could release himself out of the box immediately the steamer left Wellington. He managed to secrete himself and to obtain food during the remainder of the voyage. From his hiding place be saw the constables who boarded the Talune on her arrival in Sydney, and, notwithstanding that the police closely watched tie wharf, and examined everyone who landed, he maua»ed to get. ashore, but he declined to divulge by what means. The police theory of the matter is that when the Tarawera arrived here she was berthed close to the Talune and that Kirby seized the opportunity to jump from one steamer to the other ; that he hid on the Tarawera for a time, and then succeeded in making his way ashore. When arrested a return ticket to Auckland, nnder an assumed name, was found oa him. Sergeant Higgins and Constables Carson and Allason ran Kirby to earth. The latter actually effected the arrest. Wellington, This Day. The case in which Kirby escaped was probably constructed with spaces between the boards to admit air, and these spaces were covered by battens inside. Similar battens were found by' the police when searching Bassett's, and knowing a case had gone on board the Talune as luggage at the last moment they cabled to the Sydney police to look out for it. When the case was put on board it was so heavy that it took two men to lift it, and the officials here now state they were, convicted all along that there had been a man in it, though empty on arrival. The document found was not a draft, but a cheque signed by a Napier resident. A warrant has been issued for Baß* sett's arrest He has been under the surveillance of the Sydney police since his arrival in Sydney. For some reason np to noon to-day no official intimation had reached the New Zealand authorities of his arrest.