FIVE DEATHS ON THE MOANA.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16429, 24 January 1919, Page 6

FIVE DEATHS ON THE MOANA.

CYANIDE IN LEMON SQUASH. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.') WELLINGTON, January 23. In addition to I>r. Grimm and Miss Isbister, who were accidentally poisoned, tliree other deaths occurred during the Moana's run from San Francisco to Wellington. These were a six-year-old daughter of Mr and Mrs Muir. Australians returning from San Francisco; Mr Pr G. Brown, a resident of tonga; *nd a member' of the crew. All died of natural causes. I (special to "the pbess.") WELLINGTON, January 23. The Marine Department will hold a Magisterial enquiry into the poisoning cases on the Moana. Mr Riddell, S.M., will preside. In reference to the deaths of Dr. Grimm (ship's sugeon) and Miss Ingsny M. Isbister (of Christchurch) on January 3rd, it is understood that iho parties concerned were playing deck quoits just before the fatality. In between a game they each took a drink of lemm squash, with fatal results. The remainder of the lemon squash was afterwards analysed and was found to contain cyanide. How the cyanide carno to be in the bottle is a mystery. Tlio tragedy occurred while the Moana was travelling between San Francisco and Papeete. Both bodies were buried a*> sea. Mr Percy Brown was a p'anter belonging to the Cook Islands, and was on hi" way to Now Zealand. Deceased, a number of years ago, was a prominent officer of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand at Wellington, Dunedin, and London. On tho amalgamation of Uie Colonial Bank with the Bank of Ne.v Zealand, he took un fruit and copra growing at tho Caok Islands. Ho leaVos a widow (a daughter of the late Mr *J. C. Graham, of Dunedin) and a daughter, Mrs S. J. Goultor, of Merriwee Ciive. Hawke's Bay. Mr D. M. Graham of Masterton, is a brother-in-law , f deceased.