Wednesday, 9 March 1955 The Court resumed at 10.30 a.m. MR WANSTALL: The Sydney psychiatrist from whom I expected to have an affidavit unfortunately cannot arrive in Brisbane for cross-examination until Monday next. Realising the futility of obtaining an affidavit under those circumstances I have not got one from him. I wish to inform the Court of the reason lest there be any misunderstanding as to the willingness of that specialist to give evidence in the matter. He is John McGeorge, a Macquarie Street specialist and he holds a number of official positions which have involved him in many commitments that he cannot break at short notice. He is the consultative psychiatrist at the Department of Justice and for the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force, is a lecturer at the Sydney University and the Sydney Law School of Criminal Law and Lunacy. Having contracted to give a number of lectures it is impossible for him to get here before Monday. In the circumstances when I learned that late on Monday last, it was impossible to force him because a subpoena could not be served in time, had that been desirable. It would be necessary to obtain the leave of a Judge before a subpoena could be served in Sydney. I have not gone further in obtaining an affidavit because I could not use it unless he was here for cross-examination. After that happened we were able to get in touch with a local psychiatrist and I have been able to get him here this morning to give evidence. By reason of the lateness, it is not possible to put his evidence in the form of affidavit to give a copy to my friend. I propose to call that doctor. VICTOR LEWIN MATCHETT, sworn examined: BY MR WANSTALL: Your name is Victor Lewin Matchett and you are a psychiatrist practising in Brisbane? A: Yes. Q: Are you registered under the Queensland Act as a psychiatrist? A: Yes. Q: A specialist in psychiatry? A: Yes. Q: Your degrees are M.B., B.S., Sydney University, and Dip. Psychological Medicine, Melbourne? A: Yes. Q: You have practiced as a psychiatrist in several mental hospitals? A: Yes, for about 5 ½ years. Q: Which hospitals?
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The 1955 Romance Comics Trial
