A GRAVE SCANDAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 275, 30 April 1915, Page 8

A GRAVE SCANDAL.

.THE MOUNTAIN TRAGEDY. Writes a Stratford correspondent:— Facts have come to my knowledge concerning tin; recent tragedy on Mount Kgmont, and the methods of tlie police at .Stratford, which can only he referred to mildly as a grave scandal. It will seem almost incredulous to the general public to learn that, although the body of the unfortunate man, Pearce, who died some time on Friday, was taken to the morgue in Stratford on Sunday afternoon, the police made no arrangements for the undertaker's services until after the. inquest had been completed about nine o'clock on Tuesday night. In all conscience, the sorrowing relative had enough and to spare of the harrowing task of viewing and recognising the body after his twelve-hour journey that day from Wellington without being reminded at that hour of the night of the necessity of providing a collin for his dead brother. It is understood that the relative in question expressed surprise—who would not, under similar circumstances?—saying lie thought the police had attended to the matter. Seeing the police had arranged that the inquest he'held immediately on the arrival of the .mail train at Stratford, so as to allow of the bereaved man returning with the bodr to Wellington by the mail train next morning, what were they thinking about? The unkind suggestion has been made that the Justice Department's usual parsimony stood between duty and justice ,and blurred the Stratford fcmthorities' vision, preventing them distinguishing right from wrong. Hut to dispose of this it need only he said that the sum of £0 was recovered from the dead man's effects, -which would have been ample for all immediate requirements, even if the feelings of the bereaved family did not occur to the police as requiring consideration. Owing to the laxity of the police, the undertaking arrangements were not completed until Wednesday, on the afternoon of which, their bier was put in the train. . Thte foregoing circumstances arc vouched for, and if the Justice Department can see no reason for bringing somebody on to the carpet this protest will have been in vain.