Although unusual circumstances attended the death on Sunday of a small boy at Wollaston, an inquest was not considered necessary. For the first time the Divisional Coroner (Mr C H Davis) used his powers under a new Act and ordered a post-mortem without holding an inquest.
The boy, Gerald Frederick Carrington, aged eight years, was seen to fall in the playground last Friday. He had a top in his pocket and he complained of internal pain. Later the same day he became delirious, and it was discovered that he had been eating locust beans.
The Coroner was notified of the death, and he ordered a post-mortem examination. This was conducted by Dr Baxter, who reported that death was due to gastro-enteritis causing heart failure. There were signs that the boy had previously suffered from heart trouble. On hearing this report the Coroner decided that no inquest was necessary, and the doctor granted the usual burial certificate.
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