CORRESPONDENCE. CORONER’S INQUIRIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3231, 30 May 1911, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

CORONER’S INQUIRIES.

LTO THE EDITOR.]

Sir, —Might I, through the medium of your paper, draw public attention to the particulars of the coroner’s inquiry at Patutahi into the sudden death of Percy Simmons, a shepherd, who died while being conveyed from Wharekopae to Gisborne Hospital, reported in the “Times” of even date. The evidence .was to the effect that the deceased had had! a bad cough for some time, and although apparently unwell, had been able to ’follow his usual employment. He was not known .to be suffering from consumption. His outdoor life was accountable for his chest trouble. His family were not consumptive. There was, however, no evidence of a doctor. Constable Dandy’s evidence was that in his opinion the deceased was in the last stages of consumption, and upon this evidence the jury returned a verdict- that he died of pulmonary consumption. I would like to ask why no evidence was obtained from a doctor, and why the opinion of a constable was accepted without due corroboration. Coroners’ inquiries ought not to be conducted in this careless manner. —I am, yours, c*.c., EDWD. OAKS.