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9
and the inquests last year numbered 129. A Coroner's officer
is appointed, whose sphere of action is limited by the
boundaries of the district, and hence the existing Mortuary
is not available, situated as it is within the jurisdiction of
another Coroner's officer* Even if the present Mortuary
were freely at the service of the Outer Wards, its situation at
the extreme limit of the parish and its distance from the
remoter parts stand in the way of its adoption. I would
also ask you to consider the advisability of building suitable
enquiry and waiting rooms in connection with the proposed
and also with the existing Mortuary. Under the present circumstances,
in order toobtain a room for the purpose of holding
an enquiry, the Coroner is compelled to fall back upon the
generosity and hospitality of the publican, and I venture to
think that .1 public house is not a proper place for such an
enquiry. The surroundings are not of a character that
would impress the jury or the witnesses with the gravity
which the occasion demands. The room provided not infrequently
is small, badly ventilated, pervaded with the
odour of tobacco and spirits, and is a cause of discomfort to
the Coroner, the jury, and the witnesses. During the enquiry
it is incumbcnt upon the jury to inspect the body, and this
may not infrequently be deposited at a place some distance
from the room of enquiry. It is also, in my opinion, an
outrage upon the sensibility of those who are suffering from
the ptagS of bereavement to be called upon to take part in
an enquiry held in a place where they may be brought into
contact with those who are the frequenters of a public bar.
Having regard to the reasons already stated, and in order
that nothing should be allowed to detract from the efficiency
and solemnity of an enquiry, the issues of which are at times of
considerable magnitude, I submit this matter for your earnest
consideration. In six of the London Parishes, enquiry and
waiting rooms are provided in connection with the Mortuary,