The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-27 00:00:00

THE INQUEST ON THE BODIES.

This afternoon Mr. David Black, coroner for the
borough, commenced an inquiry into the cause of
the deaths of the above named persons, and also one
who had not been identified. The investigation
was opened at the North Star Inn, near the rail-
way station, but in consequence of the crowded
state of the room, the coroner adjourned to the
Town-ball, after viewing the bodies.
Mr. Faithfull, solicitor to the London and Brigh-
ton Railway Company, appeared to watch the case;
Mr. Roupell, instructed by Mr. W. A. Stuckey, so-
licitor, of Brighton, watched the case on behalf of
Mr. Ingledew ; Mr. Reed, instructed by Mr. Reed,
of Nicholas•lane, represented Mr. Kean. Mr.
Conyngham, M.P., one of the directors, and Mr.
Scott, deputy-chairman, were also present, as were,
besides, a great number of influential inhabitants
of Brighton, and various friends of 'the deceased.
The proceedings excited much interest.
The names of the jury having been called,
The Coroner add' essed them as follows :—" Gen-
tlemen, I wish to address a few words before the
oath is administered. In the course of the inquiry
which we are about to commence, a very important
question may arise as to the negligence or liability
of the company, in some shape or other. Now, it
is plain, from the position of the company in Brigh-
ton, a great number of persons must be interested
in it, either as tradesmen supplying goods, as share-
holders, or are dependent in some other way upon
it. I wish you, therefore, to ask yourselves whether
any of you are interested in the Company ; and if
so, I beg you will say at once, in order that you may
be discharged from further attendance. None of
youaryecnoibwliiglel sadtyo serve until you are sworn. We
can easily procure other persons ; and, therefore, I
trust
in t
he whether
coymollapanry,
bedeirfoeCrtelythOe in-
quiry
r n
directly interested
commences. I mention the matter now be-
fore you are sworn, so that you may retire. Please
assume that I put the question to each of you—' Are
you dependent in any manner upon the Railway
Company ?' "
No answer being returned,
The Coroner said—Then, I take it that none of
you are interested in the way I have indicated.
The jury was then sworn, and Mr. Joseph Hem-
mings was chosen foreman.
Mr. Reed—l beg to say that lam instructed to
appear on behalf of Mr. Kean, who has been very
badly injured by the accident, and is lying in the
hospital here. I wish to express a hope that the
professional gentleman who attends on the part of
the Railway Company will render all the assistance
in his power, which may enable the jury to arrive
at a proper conclusion ae to the cause of the sad
calamity which has occurred.
Mr. Faithfull—l can assure you, sir, that the
company are anxious to render every assistance in
their power, and will produce all the evidence that
may be deemed desirable.
Coroner—And I will give all persons interested
in the matter the fullest opportunity of putting
questions to the various witnesses. I shall first
examine them myself, then I shall ask the jury to
put questions, and afterwards the professional gen-
tlemen can examine them if they think proper.
The jury then proceeded to view the bodies,
which lay in the reading-room of the workmen at