THE DEATHS ON THE MOANA.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16430, 25 January 1919, Page 9

THE DEATHS ON THE MOANA.

...... I ENQUIRY OPENED. i (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, January 24. Th 6 Minister of Marine having ordered an. enquiry in respect to the sudden deaths of Dr. Grimm and Miss Isbister, on board the 11.M.5. Monna, Mr Riddell, S.M., opened tho enquiry t6-day. The enquiry was ordered under clause 237. of the Slipping and Seamen Act, which reads: ' When any loss of life . occurs on any ship. not being caused by any casualty to the ship, the Minister may, if he thinks fit, cause an enquiry to be hold by any Coroner exercising jurisdiction at the port or place at which such loss of life is reported, etc." t ' Alfred John Richardson of California, i / a passenger by the Moana, deposed • that when he saw Miss Isbister lying <irl ihe floor he knelt down beside her and noticed that slio was frothing at the mouth. Witness felt her pulse, which was very slow. Hor hoart-be:vts, too* wero Very slow. Artificial respira--1 tion was triea, and an emetio was administered. Presently Dr. Grimm was brought on deck in a state of collapse, and an emetic was administered, DUt neither emetic nor respiration were successful, and both died. Miss Isbister died in about ten minutes, and Dr. Grimm just beforo hor. When witness knelt alongside Miss Isbister, he smelt 'something which he thought was oxalic acid. He thad had experience of the acid, which was used for cleaning wood, copper, and brass. He did not now think it was oxalic acid. Tho taking of further evidence was adjourned until nest day.