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These figures show an increasing disposition on the part of the public to make use
of the mortuary.
The bodies, with few exceptions, are those of parishioners, the exceptions being
in the case of non-parishioners who have met their deaths through disease or accident
within the parish.
By order of the sanitary authority nine bodies of persons dying of infectious
diseases were removed to the mortuary.
There were 301 inquests held, as compared with 313 in 1895, and the post-mortem
examinations made in the post mortem room attached to the mortuary numbered 128
as compared with 109 in 1895, and 60 in 1894.
The mortuary is under the supervision of a keeper whose duties are to admit dead
bodies, which may be brought to the mortuary at any hour of the day or night; to
register in the book provided by the Vestry the necessary particulars as to the bodies
admitted; to see that the mortuary and post mortem room are duly cleaned and that
order and decency are maintained therein; and to make the necessary preparations
for post mortem examinations. The mortuary keeper also undertakes the removal to
the mortuary of all bodies ordered to be so removed by the sanitary authority.
The Vestry have made by-laws with respect to the management of the publio
mortuary (see Appendix, page 57). They were allowed by the Local Government
Board in October and provide for the times of removal for burial of infectious and
non-infectious bodies, and for the proper conduct of persons employed in the removal
of bodies.