THE DEATHS ON THE MOANA.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16436, 1 February 1919, Page 2

THE DEATHS ON THE MOANA.

evidence at enquiry,

(SPECIAL TO "THI TRESS.")

"WELLINGTON, January 31

Xbc evidence given to-day at uie enquiry into the .Nioana tragedy had to do mostly with analysis of the samples taken irora the partly empty sodawater bottles, and the lemon squash •from which tlie drinks had beon taken, iiotli t-ae official of the Dominion Laboratory and .Professor Easter held said that cyaniue was present in all the samples, but that there was no poison in anv otiier or the opened botties. The tiouies were near tne door, and had the cupboard been unlocked any porson mi"ht nave removed one of the bottles. _\ cTther of the bottles found, however, had beon opened. He gave a lot of ovidence to show that there was no possibility of to© cyanide being in the soda water bottles when they left tbe factory. His deduction from the facts, _as he found tliisni. was that the poison must have been put into the soda-water bottles alter tney bad been opened. He said that the evidence did not preclude the possibility of bottles having been rcI turned partly empty from the cabin of a passenger, * and it was that a : passenger had used cyanide in his cabin for some purpose. The poison was an excellent destroyer of cockroaches or bugs, and it was also used in photography. The works manager for Thomson, Lewis and Company, the soda water peoplo, said that it would be possible for a person to take tho tin cap off a bottle ol soda water, and then replace it by hand pressure quito firmly enough for the top to remain on the bottle if the bottle were kept at rest. Tinder those circumstances there would be less gas, in the soda and ]ess pressure, but when poured out after reopening there might still be some effervescence. At the conclusion of the day's proceedings Mr Jackson, counsel for tlie relatives of Miss Isbister, asked the Court to express an opinion in the findings as to whether the poison was selfadministered, or given by one victim to the other., He suggested that the evidence had shown that this was impossible.

The Magistrate replied: I am certainly of .that opinion. The enquiry stands adjourned. Evidence is to be taken as to supply of cyanide or other poisons to the Moana by wholesale chemists.