OUR CORONER.

Press, Volume XIII, Issue 1717, 1 August 1868, Page 3

OUR CORONER.

TO THE BBITOB OF THE PEBSB. Sic—On the 27th of M«y last I attended Mrs Pores, of Barba>loes street, in her accouchement. The case was one of considerable difficulty, and I had ultimately to complete the delivery with instruments. After attending the woman for the mual time I ceased to visit. Oα Friday, July 24,1 received a message from Mrs Portes that she wished to see mc, as the child had died that morning at seven o'clock

I called, and was informed that, the child had not been seen by a medical man, and that the father had been from home for a week. The mother asked mc what she ought to do. I replied that I was almost sure the Coroner would insist upon an inquest. She eaid she did not know how to act, as she had another young child whom she could not leave. I told her that. I would call on the Coroner and inform him of the death of the baby, which I accordingly did. The Coroner told mc th»it

he would send mc an Order to perform b. post mortem examination of the body and give evidence at-he inquest. At half-past twelve p.m , the next day (Saturday), a police constable called at my house and requested mc

(without an order from the Coroner) ro examine the body, and be prepared to give evidence at an inquest, to be held at four p.m. I told the constable that I could not perform the post mortem examination without an order from the Coroner, and also, that I could not do it properly in the time allowed (three hours and a half.) He went away and in a short time returned, eaying that the Coroner wae very busy, and was glad to be able to postpone the inquest till Monday. On the same evening I received the following communication from the Coroner :— " Christchurch, July 25, 1868. " Dear Sir,—The parents of the child Portes ascribe its illness and death to injury received at its birth. I have therefore (both for your interest and on public grounds) requested Dr Ned will to make an examination of the body, and to inform you at what hour he will make the post-mortem, that you may be present if you wish to do co. " I remain, dear eir, yours ever, " John W. S> Cowahd. " I have ordered the inquest at Mills' Hotel, on Monday, the 27th, at three p.m., should you wish to attend. « J.W.S.C." " Dr Patrick. ,1 I attended the post-mortem examination and the inquest on Monday. Both parents swore distinctly that they did not make the statement contained in the Coroner's letter, and Dr Nedwill swore that there were no marks of violence on the body, and that the cause of death was Antemia. I asked to be ailowed to put a few questions to. the witnesses, ! but was forbidden by the Coroner. I then asked him for an explanation of his letter to mc, and was met by a threat of committal for contempt. At the inquest held on Wednesday on the unfortunate George Manefield I again pressed the Coroner for an explanation, and was again threatened with imprisonment for my insolence (?) I now, Sir, through you call upon the Coroner to explain his conduct. I have stated the facts of the case without comment —a plain, unvarnished tale. Awaiting the Coroner's reply, I am, eir, yours, &c, 8. A. Patbick. Cutol street, July 31,1608.