INTERJECTOR EJECTED.

Thames Star, Volume LXI, Issue 17051, 3 December 1927, Page 5

INTERJECTOR EJECTED.

AT GREYCLIFFE INQUIRY. COURT WAS STARTLED. BY WOULD-BE WITNESS. There was a sensation at the marine inquiry into the Greycliffe disaster at Sydney, when early in the proceedings a man from the witness bench twice interjected, and his removal was ordered by Mr Justice Campbell.

The crier made a search for the offender, but failed to locate him. The officer wag commanded by His Honour to keep under observation that part of the court whence the voice came. About ten minutes later he approached a man of sea-faring appearance, who was leaning over the second last bench in this part of the Court. It is believed that the interjector entered the Court with the fixed determination of causing a disturbance. As Mr Halmon, K.C., entered the Court building a man approached him, but the barrister took scant notice. Nothing occurred while, the first witness was giving his evidence, but shortly after the second witness entered the box the peaceful atmosphere of the court was rudely broken. Cold Facts. Dr Brissenden, K.C., had asked Ethelbert Elliott, clerk in the torpedo department at Garden Island, for an estimate of the Tahiti’s pace. “I am not here to make estimates,” said witness. “I am here to give cold facts.” “And to answer to the best of your ability any question that may be put to you,” counsel replied. “Hear, hear,” shouted a voice from the back of the Court. The interjection was so sudden that by the time the Court recovered no trace of the owner of the voice could be found.

The witness had barely resumed giving his evidence when the voice again broke the silence of the Court. “Ugh, ugh,” it muttered in contempt. -

“I ask the interjector to the Court,” said Mr Justice Campbell. Nobody left. “Officer, eject that man,” commanded the judge to the crier. The crier went to the back of the Court, but the offender could not be located.

The crier resumed hig seat at the front of the Court, but.about ten minutes later was noticed to slowly walk to the back of the Court and order a man in the back bench to leave. It was a disgusted would-be witness who slowly walked into King Street and was lost in the traffic.