NAMES OF POISONS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1928, Page 6

NAMES OF POISONS

QUESTION OF PUBLICATION

COMMENT BY CORONER

T.IMAIUL December o

Tn returning a. verdict that Isabella Pilkingtoii, aged 55 year, had died from poison self-administered while in a state of mental stress, the Coroner, Mr C. R. Orr Walker, made some interesting comments in connexion witu the publication of the names of poison used in suicide cases.

“I would like to request,” he said, “that the Press should consider carefully whether the name of the poison should he given in auv report oi tin. proceedings. It is veil known that if it becomes general knowledge that n. •ortain poison or article is effectiie; in the hands of people similarly inclined, this may lead to other deaths. No doubt it would he inadvisable to puhish the fact that this well-known substance was used. I can make no older,” concluded the Coroner, “but I would like to ask the reporters to consider whether the name of the particular poison should be given. Sergeant C. Petersen conducted the inquest on behalf of the police. Charles Pilkington. of 33 Edwards street, gave evidence of identification. His wife’s health had been good up till three weeks ago, when she suffered a slight nervous breakdown. Ho had not thought it necessary to call a doctor in as the breakdown had boon so slight. She had had a similar breakdown about ’two and P- l,iall years ago. " Job,, Oamobeli McKen/ye, Superinleiident of the Tima.ru Hospital, said dial oil her admission on Sunday morning Mrs Pilkington’s appearance was consistent with the taking of n certain poison. Her condition giadunlly became worse till she died at 1.40 p.m. on Tuesday. -She told witness that she had taken a. poison. She gave no reason for her action. The Coroner then returned the verdict reported above.