PECULIAR POISONING CASE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2284, 19 October 1914, Page 7

PECULIAR POISONING CASE

ONE MAN DEAD AND ANOTHER DANGEROUSLY ILL. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Dunedln, October 18. An inquest was opened at Palmerston yesterday on the body of James Ross, who died on Friday after eating some rice custard. John Charles Walters suffered severely through partaking of the same dish. Evklenco showed that Walters's wife, who resides •in Dunedin, had been in the habit of sending her husband parcels of food. One which arrived on Friday forenoota contained _ rice custard, made with condensed milk. Deceased and Walters ate some and shortly af< forwards became ill. While Ross was' engaged in oleaning some pots at a oreek close by, he was seized with a fainting fit and fell into the stream. The cold water reviving him, he called out to Walters, who had been sick, to help him to the hut, but w;hen they reached the door deceased desired to bo ( allowed to lie on the grass. He became worse and was in agony. Dr. Harrison was sent for, and although strenuous efforts were made to save Ross he died shortly after th& doctor's arrival. Walters rallied, and on Saturday was able to give evidence at'the inquest, which has been adjourned till Saturday.

Evidence given by Mrs. Walters showed that she gave her children some custard made at the same time as that sent to the deceased, but they complained about the peculiar taste and refused to eat it. She ate some herself and felt ill all next clay.

came to Dunedin by the second express last night, and appeared all right this morning, but shortly after nine o'clock he was seized with twitching convulsions, and Dr. Church ordered his removal to the hospital. Ho was unconscious on arrival there, butin the. afternoon had regained consciousness. His condition is critical.

James Ross, who was cook at Mount Royal Station camp,- leaves a wife and family, who reside at Waitai.