MOUNTAIN FATALITIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21562, 5 August 1933, Page 12

MOUNTAIN FATALITIES

MEMORANDUM TO CORONERS INTERESTS OF CLUBS [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION*] WELLINGTON, Friday The statement that the Justice Department had already communicated with coroners with reference to certain aspects of inquests arising out of mountaineering fatalities was made by the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Justice, in replying to a deputation from the Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand, which requested to-day that coroners bo asked to give every facility to the federation being represented at such inquests. Mr. A. P. Harper, president of the federation, said that there was already an arrangement that when there was an inquest arising out of a mountaineering fatality the police should get in touch with a local expert climber and consult him as to what facts should be dis* cussed, so that from the evidence mountaineering clubs could point out to climbers mistakes that could be avoided. Tito arrangement was working "well, but in one case a coroner had said he had all the expert evidence he required in the evidence of a guide. The guide, said Mr. Harper, was one of those concerned, and his evidence might not be that of an entirely independent man. He suggested it be pointed out to coroners that the federation bo represented at inquests so that all the facts might be elicited. In 6ome cases a coroner was not concerned with what led to a fatality so long as he knew what caused it.

The Minister read a memorandum to the federation in which it was stated that in reference to the calling of expert evidence at inquests on deaths from mountaineering accidents, a communication had been forwarded to coroners by the Justico Department drawing their attention to instructions issued to the police on the subject and requesting them to afford every facility to enable the police to give effect to those instructions. "That is. very definite and plain," remarked Mr. Cobbe.