THE ALLEGED POISONING CASE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1317, 17 August 1886, Page 2

THE ALLEGED POISONING CASE.

The Timaru Herald of this morning says Social circles wore much disturbed, and excitement soon ran higb, when the news got abroad early yesterday morning that Thomas Hall, the well-known commission agent, and a young woman named Margaret Graham Houston had been arrested late on Sunday night charged with an attempt to murder Gatharlce Hall, wife of tho'malo accused, by the administration of poison, to wit antimony. The report was so startling, and the alleged crime of such an extremely serious character, that at first it was not believed, but subsequent enquiry confirmed the report, and the further news soon got abroad that tha accused would that morning be brought before the Resident Magistrate’s Court. As the honr named drew nigh the crowd which gathered about the Courthouse was a large one, but the people iu it were disappointed for it was found on account of the Dist. ict Court aitt’ng that the Resident Magistrate could not secure the Bench till 1 o’clock. This delay had the effect of inorea leg tho be'ing among the public, and when the Court opened at the hournamsd the Courthouse was packed, among the visitors being many personal friends of Thome a Hall. Accused were brought in in custody of the police, and both, to all appearance, felt their position keenly, especially Mr Hall, who looked as if he would break down at any moment. Of the proceedings it is unnecessary for us to dwell here, as a full report is given below. It will be seen that His Worship refused to allow tho accused bail, as the price represented that were such an application granted, the ends of justice might be defeated. So tar as wo can learn tha case the police have in hand is one of the most delicate nature, and the extreme gravity of it induces them to be very reticent on any point concerning it. It appears that Dr Maclntyre has for soma weeks now been altsnding Mrs T. Hall professionally on account of her continued ill-health, and that he has for some time been rather b&fflad at the prevalence of certain symptoms. His curiosity or p rhaps we should now say, suspicions, once aroused, he carefully notsd hisjpatient’elhoalth from day to day, and at last was certain of finding traces of antimony in her food and drink. Not content with his own individual judgment w i understand that he called In another medical gentleman, and the latter amply confirming his {Dr Maclntyre’s) suspici ms he at once communicated with the fo'ica, an information was sworn, and a warrant of arrest having been made out, Inspector Broham accompanied by Detective Kirby proceeded to Mr Hall’s private house, North street (the residence of late Captain Cain), and arrested both prisoners. The house was then searched, and several phials that had contained antimony were found, and on tho male prisoner found a phial with a r eW drops of the poison la if. In tho hou e was also found “ Taylor on Poisons,” a standard authority, we are inftrned, and a book that is likely to play no small part in the case. In conclusion we may state that widespread and deep sympathy is felt for the parents of the male prisoner, who have for so many years now been residents of Timaru aid district; have a’ways been very highly respected, and have earned the good wishes of all classes