Naval lan’s Suicide

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19353, 5 September 1934, Page 7

Naval lan’s Suicide

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY* FINDING SUBMITTED. . ■— -■ ■“ NO IMPROPRIETY ESTABLISHED, United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright, (Received Sept. 5, 12.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 4. The report of the Royal Commission (His Honour, Mr Justice Napier), wljich inquired into Hie discharge from the Royal Australian Navy of Lieutenant-Commander Casey has been issued. The Commission found the retirement of Lieutenant-Commander Casey was necessary In the Interests of the service and there was no Impropriety In the manner adopted for hls retirement or In fact that he retired without compensation. • The report concluded that Lieutenant Commander Casey had recovered from the shock of retirement, and that his suicide was either caused by a« “sudden impulse acting upon-a mind predisposed to melancholia, or by some exciting cause not disclosed in evidence. “The action of Hie Naval Board was in accord with statutory regulations, but I regret that no means were taken to prevent the decision of the board coming so unexpectedly and as such a shock to the officer.”

In June last on the recommendation of [he Minister of Defence, Sir George Pearce, tiie Federal Cabinet decided to appoint a Royal Commission to investigate Hie invaliding and discharge of Lieutenant-Commander A. D. Casey from the Royal Australian Navy. The officer look his life after lie had been discharged, and his relatives sought an inquiry into Hie circumstances of his 'dismissal which, it was claimed, contributed io his death. Lieutenant-Commander Casey received no 'compensation when lie was dis« missed.