The Hawke's Bay Poisoning Case.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 76, 24 September 1894, Page 3

The Hawke's Bay Poisoning Case.

The charge against John Restal of poisoning ten men at Patoka sta tion was partly heard at Napier oi Thursday, and adjourned till Mondaj Thomas G- Sanderson, manager o the station, deposed that on the 7tl of September the station cook, Johi Leydon, was drunk. As a Tesult o inquiries witness found that th drunkenness was due to whisky ob tamed from prisoner, who, in opposi tion to the rules of the station, ha< brought a two- gallon jar of that spiri to Patoka. Prisoner was dischargee for bringing the liquor on to th« station, but subsequently witnest agreed to overlook the offence or condition that it should not be re peated. Prisoner appeared to be under tne |impression that some ol the men on the station had informed against him, and referred to the fact that he had heard them laughing and joking in the whare. On the following day, after breakfast, the men on the station became very ill, and Dr. de Lisle had to be sent for. Witness asked accused if he had put anything in the stew the men had for breakfast, and he said he had not. In reply to other questions prisoner said he had himself partaken of the stew, and had been ill. Witness said that tfte case would be inquired into, and prisoner Teplied that he hoped it would be. He seemed hesitating and nervous.