NEWS BY MAIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 May 1921, Page 3

NEWS BY MAIL.

POISON RAIN. NEW IrORK,l r ORK, March 16. A new poison, so deadly that 3 drops on the skin of a human being would cause death is the latest discovery -if the United States Army Chemical Warfare Service. A high official is quoted as saying that this liquid, projected as vapour from nozzles on the underside of an aeroplane would kill everyone in the path of the machine. One aeroplane, added the expert could distribute 2 tons of the liquid over an area. 7 miles by 100 feet wide. It could deposit iu than area sufficient liquid to kill every man in it. The liquid is easily manufactured. It is stated that an output of several thousand tons a clay can quickly be reached.

MOCK TRIAL SEQUEL. MONTREAL, March 12 Remarkable evidence preceded the verdict of a King’s Bench jury that Major Boh Griffiths, accused of the murder of Mr William Holland, a stockbroker, was insane and unfit to stand his trial. 1 Judge Cusson testified that at the instigation of Major Griffith’s friends, to relieve his mind of a delusion, a mock trial of Mr Holland took place in chambers a. year ago, at which Mr Holland arranged to he charged with exerting a secret malicious influence over Major Griffiths. Mr Holland was “severely warned to desist from this practice.” Mr Holland admitted the influence and, pretending to lie greatly frightened, promised to stop.

The whole affair was staged to humour Major Griffiths, and everyone except him was aware that it was prearranged. “I am convinced Major Griffiths believed he was in Mr Holland’s power,” declared the judge.