Pity the poor Jurors.

Manawatu Herald, 19 November 1892, Page 2

Pity the poor Jurors.

We have always sympathised wifch men called to attend to the unpleasant duties of Coroner's inquests, which they have to do for the cheapest kind of remuneration, the thanks of the Queen. Our Liberal government refused to pass an Act to allow remuneration to men summoned on these unpleasant cases, though they found time to increase the pay of their supporters. A case is reported from London, emphasises the unfortunate position bofch of Coroners and jurymen, in which the following conversation took place : — Dr Roberts informed fche coroner, after the jury had been sworn, thafc the body had already bsen screwed down, and asked whether ifc was necessary to view fche body. —The Coroner : Yes ; there is no inquest unless the body is viewed. — Dr Roberts : But it will be injurious to the health of the jury if they view the body.— The Coroner : I cannot help that. The law says that the body must be viewed. — Dr Roberts : The body has been screwed down in the interests of the family. Surely it is sufficient if I swear that it is the body of the person in question thafc is in the coffin. — The Coroner : The law requires the body to be viewed.— Dr Roberts : Although it may injure the health of the jury. — Coroner : I cannot help that — Ultimately the coffin was unscrewed, and the remains formally viewed, by the jury, who afterwards returned a verdict of accidental death .