CORONERS' JURIES.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2040, 19 July 1875, Page 2

CORONERS' JURIES.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.)

Sib,—There has been, at different times, a considerable amount of discussion regarding the manner, at presentin vogue, of picking Coroners' juries.' Generally speaking there is very little discrimina". ,tion exercised ; once it is decided that a case has arisen in which thY gratuitous services of twelve of Her Majesty's subjects .are required, a constable isFdespatched to serve summonses," and He is not at all particular as to whom he picks out of the list of his " eligible " acquaintances. -It may be asserted with confidence that in all cases this indifference,tor proper qualification is „ bad in principle^ as it is, perhaps very, often, unhappy-in-result; but in no case can the practice of promiscuous summonsing be more condemnable than in those where" jurors are required to be enlightened- iv someparticular direction. Thus .with mining, and'mining accidents.'/ It has .frequently occurred to me yhen observing the prqceedings of enquiries, of the kind} tb>t tb,o jurors r ,wer'o debarred." fron^ intelligently; considering their verdict because of their entire ignorance. When the inquest' upon Fox (killed in the Queen of Beanty mine) was held, the jury were composed to a great citent of shopkeepers and

others, wlio 'could.nok be'&u, posed^to.give, an unprejudiced c;nsidcration to tho question "hotf iFbxjmeV"vvitu his death." Having to rely chiefly on the witnesses for information—not only of the manner of the i accident j! hut if of the, probahlc chances &f '-'Hi hevig ftraceablb" 'to" somo one's neglect, they may often he misled. How much better would it be to select a dozen practical men' fbr'such duly. Say n jury of mine managers, or men experienced in the mining industry,-.. In thai; .caso. 'ilk« juriy'Vwiould be enabled to consider intelligmlly, uud<rst;\nding the bearings of thtf question requiring their decision; and tho-conclusion arrived at would always bo more sound—sound, simply because based upon some sort of authorityTgther]thittn tliatiObtaineclJsjecond hand. Although no provision has been made to direct tho choice of common juries, a greater discrimination might bo exercised with advantage.—Yours, etc. fc>UDDEK DjJATH.