THE TALUNE MURDER.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 89, 24 April 1901, Page 2

THE TALUNE MURDER.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Sydney, April 23. Air Hamlet, Government Analyst, produced the actual crystals obtained from the stomach of Conway. Ho had recovered three-quarters of a grain, some being lost in tho analytical test. In crossoxamination Mr Hamlet said a man would retain consciousness until the last after taking strychnine. He know of cases where no fatal results followed large doses, but these were abnormal. Ho placed an unknown quantity of strychnine in a bottle of stout, and allowed it 'to stand. When • twenty minutes had elapsed he made an analysis, and found that in that time 1.33 gr had dissolved. Passey, tho cook, said that ho was positive that Mrs Smith visited the fore part of tho ship every evening after leaving Wellington.

Edith Huddleslonc said that on the night she took ill the accused expressed wonder as to whether she had taken anything poisonous to cause her to become ill like Conway.

Cross-examined, she said she could not remember Airs Smith being out of tho cabin on the Saturday night. She was sure she was not, but was not certain whether she left it on Sunday or the succeeding evening. She had stout occasionally for sea-sickness. She was under the impression that accused drank some on tho night Conway died, though not certain. She did not go to her cabin till 8 eight o’clock on Saturday night. Accused was there then. Accused asked her to share the cabin with her when they left Wellington. (Received April 23, 8.5 p.m.)

Brook, chemist, said that accused did not specifically ask for strychnine. She said she wanted poison for cats. She suggested strychnine.

Earnest Smith, assistant at Bonington’s, testified that accused was endeavoring to purchase strychnine. She said it was to kill cats. He suggested vermin killer, but she replied, “ Nothing but strychnine will do.” (Received April 23, 8.10 p.m.)

Mary Hesketh, Christchurch, said that she knew Smith intimately for eleven years. Her name before she married was Jane Hampden. She came to witness’s shop in February last, and said she had received a present of £SOO for rescuing the child Smart from drowning. She was going to take a trip to Sydney and Melbourne with the friends of the child. She asked witness’s son whether a gentleman called. He said “ Yes.” Witnest accompanied her to Bonington’s, the chemist, to obtain the use of tho telephone. Mrs Smith afterwards told her she had rung up Conway. Accused then asked the assistant for a shilling’s worth of strychnine to kill rats. The assistant refused. When they returned to witness’s shop Conway was there. Accused introduced witness, and then gave Conway a pound note, telling witness that she owed him a butcher’s bill, and that Conway had lost money in business. Cross-examined, witness said that when Mrs Smith made remarks about Comvay losing money it was in his presence, and he did not contradict it.