[i roto i te reo Māori]

§ 32.—V. Coroner.

Another officer and administrator of the law is the Coroner. His principal duty is to enquire into the cause of any sudden or violent death. For instance, if a corpse has been found in the water, or any where else, the Coroner summons a Jury of the neighbouring residents to enquire into the cause of the death. The Jury with the Coroner go and inspect the body, and then begin to investigate the cause of death. All persons who know anything about the matter are brought and examined by the Coroner. He asks the witnesses what they know about the death, ascertains who last saw the deceased alive, carefully collects all particulars and [unclear: obtain] all the information he can about the matter, for himself and the Jury to deliberate upon.

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If this Jury think the man met with his death accidentally; such as, that he fell into the water and was drowned; a verdict is returned to that effect. There the matter ends, and the body is buried.

But if, in the opinion of the Jury, the deceased was murdered by some, one; the Coroner issues his Warrant to the police, to apprehend the person suspected, who is committed by him to gaol for trial by the Supreme Court.