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on certification by the Medical Officer of Health and a general
medical practitioner.
During the year, 15 persons were persuaded, in their own
interests, to enter institutions voluntarily. Only in the case of one
old man of 82, with no known relatives, was it found to be necessary
to make application to a magistrate for a commital order. This
patient had been regularly visited for nearly eighteen months and
there had been increasing evidence of his incontinence and inability
to care for himself adequately. At the expiry of the statutory
period of twenty-one days the old man was still too ill to be moved
and he subsequently died.
Section 50
Under the provisions of this section, it is the duty of the Council
to make arrangements for burial or cremation of a person dying in
the Borough where there are no relatives or friends prepared to
accept the responsibility. In such cases, the costs incurred by the
Council, inclusive of administrative expenses, may be recovered
from the estate of the deceased.
The following cases were dealt with during the year:
1. The body of Miss C. M. was found on 30th May 1957 in
an empty house which had been closed preparatory to
demolition. It was understood from the Coroner's
Officer that, although the deceased had a brother living in
Eire, it had been ascertained from the Irish police that he
was financially incapable of making the funeral arrangements
and that probably he would not be prepared to
travel to London for the purpose in any case. In these
circumstances, it was considered that there would be no
object in attempting to communicate with the brother
and funeral arrangements were made by the Council.
The costs incurred were partly met by a death grant from
the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance.
2. At the Coroner's Officer's request, funeral arrangements
were made in respect of Mr. E. A. C. who died in a common
lodging house on 27th September, 1957. Expenses, less
the sum of 5/5½d. found on the deceased, were borne by
the Council.
3. The death of Mr. E. H. occurred in a common lodging
house on 24th October 1957 and funeral arrangements
were made by the Council as the nearest known relative,
an elderly niece, did not feel able to accept the responsibility.
The Council's expenses are recoverable from the estate.
4. The funeral of Mr. J. J. M., who died in a common lodging
house on 11th November 1957, was arranged by the Council
at the request of the Coroner's Officer as no relatives could
be traced. It transpired, however, that the deceased had