NRS-1775 | Register of inquests and inquiries held by R.H. Matthews [Parramatta Coroner]

Robert Hamilton Matthews of Singleton was appointed a Justice of the Peace by Letters Patent dated 2 August 1883. The Executive Council, on 23 March 1886, approved his appointment as Coroner at Singleton "during the absence of Mr Brooks, receiving for his service the usual fees". His appointment, by commission, took effect from 27 March 1886, and the oath was administered on 8 June 1886 (7/6933). On 5 May 1887 the Executive Council approved his appointment as Coroner at Singleton and for the Colony generally, without salary, but with the usual fees and travelling allowances. By the approval of the Executive Council on 6 November 1894, he was appointed to be "Deputy Coroner, Parramatta, to act only in the absence of the Coroner, with the usual fees and travelling expenses".The volume records name and occupation of deceased, or situation of premises burnt; date and place of death or fire; date and place of inquest or inquiry; verdict or finding; whether inquest or inquiry; Coroner's fees; jurors' or witnesses' fees and medical witnesses' fees. The inquests held in 1884 are recorded as being held in Silverton; those from 1886 to 1889 at Singleton; and those from 1890 to 1894 at Parramatta. (8/2017) 1 vol. Note:This description is extracted from Concise Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales, 3rd Edition 2000.