DEATH OF “EMPIRE JACK”

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1930, Page 9

DEATH OF “EMPIRE JACK”

BLEW UP MESSINES BRIDGE SIR JOHN MORTON GRIFFITHS. END OF ADVENTUROUS CAREER. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 27. The death has occurred at Cairo of Lieut-Colonel Sir John Morton Griffiths, public works contractor, aged 59. Though most famous for blowing up Messines Ridge and destroying Rumanian oil wells, Sir John Morton Griffiths lived a most adventurous life. He sailed for Australia in a wind-jammer when 17. He ran away from the ship and remained some time in Australia. He earned the name of “Empire Jack” for work done during the war. The London manager of his firm this morning received a cable from Sir John reporting the state of certain negotiations, but received no hint that there was anything untoward. BODY FOUND IN SMALL BOAT. WORRY OVER ASSOUAN DAM. Rec. 5.5 p.m. Cairo, Sept. '27. Sir John Norton-Griffiths was seen to go out in a small boat from Ram'leigh in the morning. He paddled for some distance and then observers ashore noticed that the boat was drifting apparently unoccupied. Swimmers hastened to the spot and a police launch examined the boat. They found Sir John lying dead in the bottom, shot in the right temple. Sir John came to Egypt to clean up the dispute between the Egyptian Government and his firm regarding the Assouan dam heightening contract, British engineers alleging that it was impossible to carry on in face of the constant pin-pricks and obstruction arising from the incompetency of inexperienced Egyptian inspectors. The work was suspended last week. Sir John stated that no other course was open for the protection of the firm’s reputation. The Egyptian Government alleged that the work was not proceeding at a proper speed. It was known that 1 Sir John Norton-Griffiths.was very worried.