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41
New Mortuary,
Post Mortem,
and Waiting
Rooms
The new buildings, viz., Mortuary and Post Mortem
Room have been completed and the portion of
Eton Lodge left standing to act as a screen to the
property on a higher level is being altered and
adapted as waiting rooms. There was a desire on
the part of some of the members of the Council to convert the
upper rooms of Eton Lodge into a Coroner's Court. A communication,
however, was received from the Local Government Board to
the effect that the Corporation has no legal power to make provision
for a Coroner's Court, and that the money borrowed for the purpose
of altering Eton Lodge into waiting rooms could not be used
for such a purpose.
In the event of an inquest being required in connection with a
body at the mortuary, it would be a great convenience that this
should take place upon the premises. Provided, therefore, the
upper rooms at Eton Lodge are not in use at such a time, the
Health Committee propose allowing them to be used for this
purpose.
This proposed arrangement, of course, is entirely at the discretion
of the Health Committee, and can be terminated at any
time they consider it advisable. In no sense must it be considered
as the provision of a Coroner's Court by the Corporation.
The Mortuary just completed consists of two rooms for the
reception of bodies, with a wide passage between these rooms.
Glass windows each side of the passage will allow of the jurymen
viewing a body without going into the room.
Iron Catacombs, 16 in number, are placed at the end of each
room, and in the larger room is a special air-tight tank for the
reception of decomposed bodies.
In the yard there is a glass case where clothing can be hung up
for inspection.