CHILD SUFFOCATED IN BLAZING HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 258, 29 July 1939, Page 13

CHILD SUFFOCATED IN BLAZING HOUSE

Coroner On Functions Of Inquest WHERE COMMENT NOT DESIRABLE Dominion Special Service. GREYMOUTH, July 28. “I must refrain from expressing any opinion or commenting on matters at this inquest.” This statement was made by the coroner, Mr. Raymond Ferner, S.M., at an inquest today into the death by suffocation of a four-year-old child at its parents’ residence, which was destroyed by fire on July 22. The coroner’s remarks were in reply to an application by counsel for the parents’ permission to make a statement. ' “Your application,” the cororner said, “involves consideration of what is the true function of this inquiry. Recently in England it was said that at an inquest the coroner should confine himself to ascertaining and stating the cause of death. He should avoid discussing or expressing an opinion on the possibility of the criminal liability or moral shortcomings of any person, whether present or not at the inquest. And he exceeds his function if he undertakes to utter expressions of censure or disapproval. “This view of the limitation of the coroner’s function is of great weight, and very possibly will be written into the statute law of this country jit an early date. In the meantime the attention of coroners has been directed to this expression of the limitation of a coroner’s function. “No doubt on the evidence given here today certain questions do arise, but elucidation of these might well involve a consideration as to whether, for instance, there had been a criminal omission to perform ordinary, reasonable acts to save the life of this child.

“As coroner I must refrain from expressing my opinion, or commenting on these matters. On this view it would, seem that this is not the place for any submission about justification or excuse.” "If, sir, you propose not to comment, then I withdraw the application,” counsel said.