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undertake, during the illness of D. Marques, the examination of dead bodies upon the request of the Coroner. He has not complied with this order for the reasons stated by him in letter, extracts of which are annexed. Since that date, there have been only three bodies ordered to be examined and no autopsy was required in any case.
A list of the number of cases in which autopsies have had to be performed since June, 1883, is annexed, to enable you to form an idea of the amount of work. In addition to these, there are a considerable number of cases where no autopsy is necessary, an examination of the body being sufficient to explain the cause of death. One hundred and eighty-four bodies were taken to the Mortuary for examination during two years.
I am to ask you to be good enough to communicate the contents of this letter to Dr. Hungerford and Manson with a view to making the necessary arrangements for carrying out His Excellency's request. You will observe by a copy of the annexed letter from Dr. Manson that it will not be convenient for him to attend any meeting before five o'clock in the afternoon.
I have …
(Signed) Frederick Stewart, Acting Colonial Secretary
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