POISONING TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1927, Page 1

POISONING TRAGEDY

lIV TELEGRAPH CRESS ASSN., COCYRIOIII HAMILTON. Dee. 11. The inquest concerning the Karainu poisoning tragedy, resulting in the dealli of Allen {'email, was continued ibis afternoon. Clieyne the other victim who recovered. gave evidence that in . February last, lie had a somewhat similar experience when his illness was attributed to taking salts from packets already broken. His wife had been inlimate with a man named I lull- whom he ordered oil' the place, when Hie latter hoarded there. His wile told hint that Unit had threatened lo poison her.

Replying to the Coroner. Die witness Obeyne. said his wife had never disclosed Lo him her illicit relationship with Hutt until he (Chevne) was discharged from the hospital recently, following the poisoning. His wife asked him, however, never Lo let Hull t omo hack to the place. I left, was a rahhiter by occupation and it was customary for him to have .strychnine to poison rabbits. 'Witness knew of nobody in Karainu who had a grudge against him.

Harold Long stated that "lien employed at the Karainu Rost Office, he was asked by Ted Hutt to telephone to a chemist for l"'o ounces ol strychnine. A small parcel arrived for Hutt that night, but witness was not sure who sent it.

Hr Joseph said Ilia l on February IStli lasi, 1 10 attendc Choyno at liis house TTo diagnosed Ids condition at ilia lime as strychnine poisoning, tail after a consultation nil]) another doctor. t-liev attributed Hip tmiildp to n nervous disturbance. Tlio (Tovernmonl analyst gave evidence that the contents of an ale bottle. and the stomach. contained a large amount of strychnine. Martha. Ann Cornwall, widow of the victim, stated that Mrs C'hcync told her she thought the poison had been meant for Mr Clicync lint witness could not remember the exact words used. When she asked Mrs Obey lie why she thought that, the latter replied: ‘‘Onlv one person could have done it. and that must; have been TTntt.” Much evidence was given concerning the relationship of Airs Clieyne with Flint t.

Tikhvin Owen TTntt. rahhiter. of Karnmii. said that al one time lie hoarded with the Chovnos. Witness admitted misconduct with Airs Clicync. hut lie had been on good terms with both her and the husband. Unit admitted purchasing beer in Hamilton and taking one bottle home where lie said he drank it. Witness did not toll Airs Clicync that her husband had been mise.ond lifting himself with another woman, hut one morning when Airs Clicync was running down certain other Karamu women, he remarked that the man who had had relationship with Airs Chevno had also had relationship with this other woman. Witness added that by that lie meant himself. tic had not threatened to shoot or poison Airs Chevne <)r attempted to induce her to leave her husband. The inquest has been adjourned till Friday afternoon.