CORONERS' INQUESTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1856, 13 June 1888, Page 3

CORONERS' INQUESTS.

Mr Boston naked the Minlnter of Jnatioe whether, m case of a mistake being made by a Coroner or hla deputy, an inquest not being held on Saturday might be oomraenoed on Sunday, and, if practicable, by desire of tho friends ol the decoaeed, the body ba Interred the same day? He asked this question In coneequenoo of clrcumßtancea which had arisen In the district which he had the honor to represent. In the case of a death a Coronet's inquest was duly summoned, and a doctor brought some eighteen miles to give evidence ; but no Ooroner turned up. Then, some time after dark, Inatruotlons were glvea by the police to remove the deoeaßed to town, about eighteen tnlleg off, crossing two dangerous rivers. The paople thought It undesirable to start until daylight next morning, which they did, arriving at half-past nine on Sunday morning. They were then Informed that an Inquest ooald not ba held uuttl the following morning, and, to the great annoyance of the friends of tho deceased, the body had to remain at an hotel until the Monday morning, although they tried to persuade a Justice of the Peace and the police to have the body viewed and then Interred, Mr Fergus repllod that It had been held that Sunday was a dies non, and a Ooroner , had no power to hold an inquest on thai day. Howevor, there was a Coroners Aot Amendment Bill before the House at present, and he mmld endeavor to have a provision Inserted to meet auoh oases as i tbl«.