DEAD IN OFFICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22449, 19 June 1936, Page 10

DEAD IN OFFICE

WELL-KNOWN BARRISTER DISCOVERY BY BROTHER [BY TELEGRAPH —J»RESS ASSOCIATION'] WELLINGTON. Thursday The Wellington Crown Prosecutor, Mr. Percy Seaborn Kettle Macassey, was discovered dead in his office in the Supremo Court building shortly before 8 o'clock to-night. Thsre was a small bullet wound in his forehead and a sporting rifle was grasped in his left hand. Tho discovery was made by his brother, Mr. James E. Macassey, of St. Clair, Dunedin, and one of his partners, Mr. C. Evans-Scott, who is assistant Crown Prosecutor. Although the discovery was not mado until nearly 8 o'clock, death is believed to have occurred somo hours earlier, probably about 6 p.m. On Mr. Macassoy's desk lay two briefs of cases in which Mr. Macassey had been engaged in tho Supreme Court earlier in the day. Inquiries as to Mr. Macassey's whereabouts were made by his family when he did not arrive home for dinner and when his brother and Mr. Evans-Scott entered his office in the Supreme Court they discovered his body. Mr. Macassey was occupied in his duties as Crown Prosecutor in tho Supreme Court in the morning when three prisoners appeared for scntenco before Mr. Justice Blair. Mr. Macassey did not then appear in the best of spirits. He did not address the Court.

Mr. Macassey, who was born at sea on board the ship City of Dunedin in 1875, was educated at the Otago Boys' High School and Otago University. He practised law in Wellington and was appointed Crown prosecutor and Crown solicitor. He was the joint author of "Accountancy and Commercial Law." In his younger days. Mr. Macassey was a keen athlete, and held the championship for the 120 yards hurdles and long jump at Otago University for three years. He was president of the Pirates Football Club and the Dunedin Annv teur Athletic Club, and a vice-president of the Otago Rugby Union and the Otago Amateur Boxing Association. He was also formerly a member of the Dunedin City Council. He leaves a widow and one daughter.