ADMIRALTY’S REPORT

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1928, Page 1

ADMIRALTY’S REPORT

ROTH SIDES AT FAULT. RUGBY. April 17. After reviewing the proceedings in the Courts-martial on Captain Dewar and Commander Daniel, at which Rear-Admiral Collard gave evidence. Mr lfridgenian said that the Board ol the Admiralty was of the opinion that the initial blame for what happened lay with Admiral Collard, in dealing with trivial causes of dissatisfaction in a manner unbecoming liis position and showing himself unfitted for a high command. hi the case of the other two officers who were .sentenced to he severely reprimanded and dismissed from their ships, the lioard had divided to confirm their sentences, though it was of the opinion that in Commander Daniel's case no oflcnce against the Kings Regulations wax proved under the second charge. As it had been suggested that the offences committed by those officers were more or less technical in cluirater. the hoard thought it necessary to sav that- it had taken a grave view of their conduct. Commander Daniel, having been ordered to give a ro]Xirt to Captain Dewar on certain events connected with the departure of the Rear-Admiral from his ship, supplemented it by an additional paragraph partly containing an unnecessary comment on the Rear-Ad-miral based on hearsay, and partly making criticisms of an improper nature. The Board was of the opinion

that a Hirers of their experience must have been aware of the procedure for making a complaint, and that the making of a complaint must not. Ik> used for the subversion of the discipline of a superior officer. Captain Dewar should have deterred his junior officer from going beyond a formal report of the facts, which lie had been ordered to prepare. He did not discourage Commander Daniel, hut accepted his report, which was contrary to tradition and prejudicial to naval discipline, and the Board had therefore confirmed the sentences on these two officers, hut had decided that these sentences should not preclude them from further employment. Air Bridgeinan added that the Board of the Admiralty was making a careful review of the Regulations in order to ascertain .whether there were any mounds for the suggestion that officers and men might he uncertain how to act if they had any complaint to make against any officer of superior rank. Commander Kenworthy (Labour) asked whether'further employment in the case of Captain Dewar and .Commander Daniel meant further employment at sea. Mr Bridgeman said lie could not give an undertaking that they would be employed at sea because the number of vacancies was limited, and they

in list wait until a suitable vacancy occurred.