BURYING AN EMPTY COFFIN

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 160, 8 July 1899, Page 5 (Supplement)

BURYING AN EMPTY COFFIN

AN EXTRAORDINARY MISTAKE,

An application of an extraordinary character was made to the Manchester City Coroner one day last month. A woman named Mrs Williams, who described herself as an undertaker, of Loudon Road, presented herself before the coroner carrying uiider her arm a curdboard box in which was the dead body of a newly-born child. Accompanying her was a Mrs Frith, of Bed-ford-street, Chorlton-ou-Medlock, whose daugher was the mother of the child.

The story related by Mrs Williams showed that the grandmother of the dead child went to her shop for a coffin. While a eofiln of suitnble size was being made, the body was temporarily placed in a coffin of larger dimensions. When the small coffin was ready it was placed upon the counter of the undertaker's shop, and In the absence of Mrs Williams a woman who had been left in charge of the place nailed down the lid under the impression that the child's body Was Inside. The empty coffin was taken away and interred iv the Bradford Cemetery. Later on the mistake was discovered, and the uuburled body wns placed In a cardboard box. It was carried to the cemetery.and application was inude for the empty coffin to be disinterred In order that the body might be placed lv It. The registrar, however, declined to disturb the coffinwithout some authority to do so. Hence the visit of the women to the coroner's court. Mr Smelt, the coroner, snld he did not see how he could interfere in the matter, but he asked the women to wait until the close of the ordinary business of the court. He afterwards told the women tfaat, as there was no question of an Inquest having to be held, he could not help them In (he matter, and he advised them to apply to the magistrates. The parties thereupon made an application to Mr Headlam, a magistrate, for his help iv the matter. After questioning ihe parties. Mr Headlam said he wus unable to assist them, and Instructed them to see the police authorities.

The women withdrew, and again fnw the City Coroner, who advised them to apply to the Home Secretary.