§ MR. MACFARLANE (Argyll)asked the Lord Advocate, If his attention has been called to the circumstances in connection with the death of Ann Mackinnan, a pauper 84 years of age, whose body was found on the road side, near the village of Derraig, in Mull, on the morning of the 7th of February; if the deceased was in receipt of a parochial allowance of only eleven shillings and sixpence per month; if there is reason to believe that the said Ann Mackinnan died in a state of destitution; if the body of the deceased was removed 1302 and buried at a place nine miles distant from Derraig, by the order of the inspector of the poor, without any legal investigation into the cause of death; and, if he will order a full inquiry to be made?
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR) (&c.) Clackmannan,My attention has been called to the circumstances connected with the death of Ann Mackinnan. She was 83 years of age, and a pauper on the roll of the parish of Kilninian and Kilmore. She lived in a small cottage at Aintuim, along with another pauper, and received house, fuel, and clothing from the Parochial Board, in addition to a sum of £2 10s. per annum. She spent part of the afternoon of Saturday, the 6th February, at the farmhouse of a Mrs. Whyte, where she had tea, and left for home, about a mile distant, about 6 o'clock, taking a lighted peat with her as a lantern. The night was dark and stormy, but the road was level and good, and the Whytes had no fear of her reaching home in safety, as she was in usual health and quite able to walk the distance. Unfortunately, she appears to have missed her way, as she was found dead the next forenoon about 200 yards below the road, and midway between her own house and the Whytes' farm. From the inquiry which was made by the Fiscal, there does not appear to be any ground for the view that she died in a state of destitution. She was buried at the instance of the Inspector of Poor on the 8th. It is true that no medical examination took place, as the doctor was from home, and the body had been sent for interment at Kilninian, seven miles off, before he could attend. When he did come it was not thought necessary to exhume it, the death having been clearly due to accidental exposure; and I cannot say that the authorities acted wrongly in the circumstances.