CAPTAIN DE GROOT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21273, 29 August 1932, Page 9

CAPTAIN DE GROOT

CLAIM FOR £SOOO ALLEGED WRONGFUL ARREST (Received August 28, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, Aug. 27 In the Supreme Court on Wednesday an action is to be heard in which Captain de Groot claims £SOOO from Mr. Mark Gosling, formerly Chief Secretary, New South Wales, Police Commissioner Childs and Superintendent Mackay. The claim arises out of the bridge opening incident when Captain de Groot was arrested for cutting the ribbon. He alleges that he was wrongfully arrested and imprisoned. On the occasion of the opening of the Sydney harbour bridge on March 19, Captain F. E. de Groot, a member of the New Guard, mounted on horseback and riding behind a troop of light horsemen. galloped up to the ribbon and slashed it with a sword. As he did so he exclaimed: "I am a member of the Commonwealth forces. In the name of decency I declare the bridge open. Captain de Groot was dragged off his horse by a posse of policemen and placed under 31 Captain de Groot, who was first brought before the Lunacy Court in Sydney and discharged on March 21 was rearrested later and charged with maliciously damaging the bridge ribbon, valued at £2, with offensive behaviour and with using threatening language to Inspector Robson. He was fined £5 on the charge of offensive behaviour.