15Coroners' inquests on deaths from accidents connected with petroleum-spirit.N.I.
F1(1)Where a coroner holds an inquest upon the body of any person whose death may have been caused by any accident of which notice is required by this Act to be given to the Minister of Home Affairs, the coroner shall adjourn the inquest unless a government inspector, or some person on behalf of the said Minister, is present to watch the proceedings:
Provided that, if the accident has not occasioned the death of more than one person, and the coroner has sent to the Minister of Home Affairs notice of the time and place of holding the inquest not less than forty-eight hours before the time of the holding thereof, it shall not be imperative on him to adjourn the inquest in pursuance of this section if the majority of the jury think it unnecessary that he should do so.
(2)The coroner, before the adjournment, may take evidence to identify the body, and may order the interment thereof.
(3)The coroner, at least four days before holding the adjourned inquest, shall send to the Minister of Home Affairs notice in writing of the time and place of holding the adjourned inquest.
(4)A government inspector or person employed on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs shall be at liberty at any such inquest as aforesaid to examine any witness, subject nevertheless to the order of the coroner on points of law.
(5)Where at any inquest there is given evidence of any neglect having caused or contributed to an accident, or evidence of there having been, in or about or in connection with any licensed premises or any ship or vehicle carrying petroleum-spirit, any defect that appears to the coroner or jury to require a remedy, the coroner shall, if no government inspector or person employed on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs is present at the inquest, send to the Minister of Home Affairs notice in writing of the neglect or defect.