POST MOBTEM EXAMINATION ON THE BODIES OF HAE3ISON, WOODS, AND CAEVEE. Thursday morning, at half-past seven, a post mortem examination of the remains of the tbree men executed on Wednesday was made at the gaol, in the presence of a numerous assemblage of the profession. Dr. Turnbull made thepost mortem on the body of Carver, Dr. Eobertson on that of Harrison, and Dr. Barker on that of Woods. The process of examination was completed about a quarter past eight, and afterwards the scalp of each man was removed with the brains, and these, with the stomachs, were forwarded for analysis and further examination to the Medical School. The brains were designed for Dr. Macadam, and the stomachs for Dr. Halford. It seems, however, that the latter was aware of the arrival of both, and, though the former were directed tobeleffc in Dr. Macadam's room, he claimed the brains labelled as those of Harrison, as a legatee, the convict having specially requested that his body should be handed over to the professor. On Dr. Macadam's arrival at the school, he found that what was sent for him had been taken possession of by his brother lecturer, and restoration was refused on application. He thereupon sought an interview with the Attorney- G-eneral at the Supreme Court, who, after a consultation with the Minister of Justice, seems to have deemed it necessary to submit the matter to the sheriff, who was accordingly sent for. It is, indeed, said that an application had been already made to Mr. Hackett for a summons against the aggressor, initiating an action of detenue, but this statement is not authenticated. It is, however, certain that Dr. Barker, who originally directed the brains to be left in Dr. Macadam's room, accompanied this last-named gentleman and the sheriff to the Medical School. Arriving about ' half-past three, they found Dr. Halford engaged in delivering a lecture on the very thing they were seeking to recover, in the presence of a numerous professional audience. The sheriff at once accosted the lecturer with the enquiry, " How is this, Dr. Halford? "to which the doctor at once replied, " The brains are mine, Sir." The the sheriff rejoined, " No, they are the Government's brains. " The
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Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 35, 20 August 1864, Page 3
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370Untitled Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 35, 20 August 1864, Page 3
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