CORONERS' INQUESTS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 45, 10 December 1869, Page 3

CORONERS' INQUESTS.

(To the Editor of the Alof-XT Ida Chronicle./

Sir. —Can you inform me where tho necessity foe a coroner's inquest commences, and where it ends?" I had always labored under the impression that in cases where fatal- accidents, occur —or where, by reason of injuries received, the person is rendered insensible, and during that state succumbs^—where a body is found, dead—or where there exists a probability that deatli was attended With ei reumstance* of suspicion—an inquest has always been held to be a necessary "safeguard to public security. In Mount Id.i, however, a diiferent system would appear to have obtained.. I allude to tae ease of our late respected townsman, Mr. Diedrlc Korier, who died on the 6th I)cccnnber instant, from the effects of injuries admittedly caused by a fall of earth while working in his claim. The deceased' survived during a painful illness of six days—was.sensible durmg the major portion of that time—was under able hiedical treatment, and settled all his.worldly affaire u jjon; tlfe representation by the medical man that his iu juries* would prove fatal. What I wish to ascertain is whether, irnder the circumstances to which 1 have above referred, the holding of an inquest was necessary, or even advisable ? or whether it- was or necessary to take fourteen men from their daily labor for the purpose of attending what I can only loplc upon as a I understand that the coroner's fee is £2 25., and- that the doctor is entitled to a lee of £1 Is. for his .attendance a.i a witness—t.iose feed: are paid by G-overnment. Still, the jurymen who were, infact,th§.greatest losers in poiut of linio, are entitled to nothing for their forced attendance. -

Inquests are ; TV) doubt, like many other things, -necessary evils, and as deaths resulting from accidents have lately been unfortunately hut too frequent in this district, 1 should liko to bo fully informed as to t'ie circumstances under which iuquests can be justifiably held.

fSuch, su\ |a iny'6':;?jos?i: in asking room for these few lines _ili your valuably cqhiui^—l ' J » '' LiSJ.