Ernest Edward McCROHON

PERSONAL

Sergeant E. E. McCrohon, formerly of Newtown, Sydney, took up duty in Wagga yesterday in succession to Sergeant Kidd, who has been transferred to Newtown.

BRAVE CONSTABLE

EFFORT TO SAVE CHILD

Mr. H. Richardson Clark, Parramatta coroner, at an inquest at Bankstown on the dead body of a boy named Thomas Adamson, aged 11½ years, who was drowned in a waterhole in Punchbowl, through getting out of his depth while searching for his sister’s shoe, complimented a brave constable.

The waterhole is in a very secluded position, about eight feet in diameter, and very deep, with no shallow approach, so that directly the hole is entered the water, is about six feet deep, and the sides of it are of clay, being extremely slippery.

The Belmore police were informed of the accident, and Constable McCrohon proceeded to the place with all speed.

He there found a man who was fishing for the boy with a rake, whereupon the constable immediately disrobed and took a header right into the hole.

Before he went in the man with the rake warned him against diving in, as it was dangerous, but notwithstanding that the constable dived right in and brought up the child at once.

The evidence at the Inquest was that the constable knew nothing whatever of the waterhole, and had never seen it before, and that after he recovered the body he and Dr. Miller worked upon it three-quarters of an hour to restore life, but unfortunately without success.

Dr. Miller, in his evidence, stated that he thought the conduct of the constable was most praiseworthy, as had there been any rocks or snags or old stumps in the waterhole McCrohon might have broken his neck when he dived in.

The coroner, in finding a verdict of accidental death, said that he had great pleasure in concurring with the opinion of Dr. Miller as to the conduct of Constable McCrohon, and that he would bring it under the favorable notice of the Inspector-General of Police.

MIDNIGHT STRUGGLE.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST POLICE

At the Newtown Police Court yesterday, in a case in which Charles Joseph Wall, aged 27, was charged with assault, the evidence of Constable McCrohon was that while he was arresting a man at midnight of April 21, his prisoner resisted, and Wall and others tried to drag the prisoner free.

Finally witness was forced to let the man go, and he then arrested Wall.

Sergeant J. D. Scott said that at the police station Wall accused the constable of having assaulted him. Witness, at his request, looked at Wall‘s mouth, but it was not cut, and there was no sign of blood.

Wall, in defence, said he did not assist the prisoner to escape, all he did was to put his hand on McCrohon and say: ” Constable, let him go quietly. ” McCrohon was then down and was hitting the prisoner as he lay on the ground.

After the prisoner escaped, witness said to the policeman: ” I think you hit that man terrible with the baton. I think it is my place to go up and give evidence against you. ” McCrohon then arrested witness; and in the station he got witness by the mouth and shook him. His mouth was cut, and he was spitting blood.

Sydney Alexander Colls, a barman at the Oxford Hotel, Newtown, said that Wall did not interfere with the constable while the latter was struggling with his prisoner. The defendant was not intoxicated.

Sergeant Moran said he saw no injury. Defendant was shouting and was abusive.

The magistrate ( Mr. Payten ) said that he would not ask for any evidence to be called in rebuttal of the allegations against the police, but as the department might deem it necessary to hold an inquiry, he ordered a copy of the depositions to be forwarded.

In regard to the case itself, he did not think that the probability was that the constable, while violently struggling with his prisoner; could say that Wall was the man who assaulted him when there were other men there too.

No assault was disclosed that would merit punishment.

The case was dismissed.

PLUCKY POLICEMAN.

CAPTURE OF RUNAWAY HORSE.

The plucky action of Constable McCrohon led to the timely capture of a runaway on the Newtown railway bridge last night. A horse in a spring cart, driven by Clarence O’Loughlan, of 163 Lennox-street, Newtown, bolted from the bottom of the Newtown Tramway Depot yard, and, when heading for King-street, had put on a fine turn of speed.

McCrohon, who was crossing the bridge, noticed the galloping steed, and without hesitation caught the horse’s head as it dashed by. He was dragged a little distance, but brought the runaway to a stop before any harm was done.

Many people were about at the time, and the constable’s bravery was favorably commented upon.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229354676

TORE THE POLICEMAN’S PANTS. —

Constable McCrohon was in King-street, St. Peters, on June 21, and when he saw Aubrey Harrison, aged 27, urge a dog to attack a horse in a cart he asked Harrison for his name and address. The man refused, and as the policeman closed with him, Harrison called to the dog, and it tore the officer’s trousers.

On the way to the watchhouse the prisoner used indecent language.

At the Newtown Police Court to-day Harrison was charged with offensive behavior, using Indecent language, assaulting McCrohon, and damaging his uniform. He was defended by Mr. L. Gannon.

Harrison denied the truth of the Charges.

The magistrate ( Mr. Smithers ) imposed fines and costs amounting to £7 11s 6d. The option was two months’ gaol.

In regard to a request that time be allowed to pay the magistrate said he would grant seven days to pay in three cases, but as far as the charge of indecent language was concerned he would, if he had the power, order Harrison to gaol.

Filthy language, he said, was the outcome of a filthy mind, and seemed to be part of the nature of a man who used it.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229679782

RECOGNISING BRAVERY.

A few weeks ago Constable McCrohon of the Newton Police, captured a burglar under sensational circumstances, and the total municipal council at the instance of Alderman Lewis, sent a letter to the Inspector-General of Police expressing its appreciation of the bravery of the constable.

At the last meeting of the council a communication was received from Mr. Day stating that he was pleased to know of the council’s views in the matter, which coincided with his own, and he had ordered a favorable entry to be made on the constable’s record sheet.

MEN RAN AWAY.

CONSTABLE FIRED FOUR SHOTS.

About 2 o’clock yesterday morning Constable McCrohon and Watchman Taylor, who were in King-street, Newtown, noticed two men outside Selig’s pawn office. Being suspicious concerning the men, because of the early hour; the constables went towards them. The men made off immediately, one of them dropping an iron bar about 3 foot long.

They ran down Bucknell street towards McDonaldtown railway station.

Constable McCrohon hurried after the men, calling upon them to stop. They took no notice of his command, and he fired over their heads without effect upon their movements. Three more shots were fired, but the men disappeared and have not been traced since.

An examination of the premises near where the men were first soon showed that nothing had been interfered with.