H.M.S. BRISBANE TRAGEDY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXXII, Issue 58, 6 May 1924, Page 8

H.M.S. BRISBANE TRAGEDY

MURDER AND SUICIDE, Press Associationi —Copyrich.t. Sydney, May 5. The inquiry into the tragedy o'> the cruiser Brisbane at Sydney, in. which a seama.n named. George Ritchie was murdered by a cook. George Brown, who afterwards committed suicide, was concluded today. Officers gave evidence- that, they knew nothing of the alleged assaults previous to the murder, and stated that the men were encouraged to come forward with grievances. The coroner recorded a verdict of murder and suicide by Brown. He said it seemed strange that a series of assaults should not come to the notice of the officers. Tin's suggested to him that discipline must oe very rigid, and it might lie well for the naval authorities to look into the whole question. He.did not say there was any reason for altering the system in any way, but it would bo well to look into it and see whether sc.mething could not he done to make ft certain that those responsible for the safety of the men would discover matters which might suggest that '•) danger exists on a particular ship at a. particular time.