SHOCKING DISCOVERY AT CHARING CROSS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1898, Page 3 (Supplement)

SHOCKING DISCOVERY AT CHARING CROSS.

SLEEPING AMONG MANURE

A side light on the wretched. and revolting poverty of London was thrown at an inquest held early last month at St. Martin's Vestry Hall, Charing Cross, on the body of an unknown man found dead on a heap of manure at St. Martins-mews, Charing Cross, on July 29.

George Smith, a carman, of Barnes, deposed to going to the mews early on the morning of the day in question for the purpose of getting out a load of manure. He found the deceased lying on the heap, and at once called a constable.

Thomas Body, a coachman, of 10, St. Martin's Place, said the spot Avhere deceased was found Avas cleaned as regularly as possible. In the summer time, however, it was never cleaned out thoro uglily.

rt_he Coroner: What! Do you mean that? v Witness: Yes.

The Coroner: Don't you turn out these people ?

The Witness: We do our best, but they watch us and the police, and get in AA rhen we are not looking. It is a common thing for the police to turn two or three people—men and women —out every night. In order to escape detection, they cover themselves with the manure. The place is Government property, but no one has any definite control over it.

The Coroner: Well, it is a scandal, especially as it is Government property.

Dr. R. J. Hanover said the whole of deceased's face had been mutilated by rats. It Avas impossible to say Avhat the cause of death Avas, but there was little doubt that it Avas clue to suffocation.

It is to be presumed that the manure heaps are a favourite bed with certain of the wretched outcasts Avho have no shelter, oAving to the warmth of the manure, but direct evidence as to Avhy they prefer such a bed did not transpire at the inquest.

After some strong remark's by the Coroner on such a state of things being alloAved to exist, the jury returned an open verdict.