DUNFORD TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1930, Page 3

DUNFORD TRAGEDY

MOTHER ADMINISTERED POISON

l by lelegiapii, Per Press Association

CHRISTCHex.v-.i, November 6

The inquest into the death of Airs. Paiu.y iUmabeth Alary Duntord, and aur son rlhyll i’ranch* Dunioid, on October 21, last, concluded to-day bean e Air it. D. Mosley, Coroner, who iound that Mrs Dunford died by poison seU'-adniinitered, and that Rn.Vil r ramus Dun lord's death was. due to po.son administered by his mother witn intent to procure his death. Dr. Arthur Thomas gave evidence that on the morning of October 21, a young woman, Iris Duntord, called at his house saying her brother was very ill, and that her mother had tried to poison him and herself. The mother had given them sulphur and treacle which tasted bitter. Iris Dunford had noticed it was bitter, and spat hers out. AAltness went to the house at 53 Salisbury Street, and found the boy in a state of collapse. Mrs Dunford was not in the house. Iris Dunford later collapsed. Both were taken to the hospital. The boy died within a few minutes of being admitted. The girl recovered later. The police later found the body of Airs Dunford in a locked shed at the real 1 of the House. Felix John Theodore Grigg, Government Analyst, who had tested samples given to the boy and girl, said he had found poison in it.

The evidence of Iris Dunford was taker, in the public hospital, where she is still a patient. She described how her mother had tried to force her brother and herself to take the sulphur and treacle. Witness thought tier’s tasted bitter, and refused to lake it Her mother then tried to force her to take it. Later she heard her brother scream in pain, and she said to her mother: “You’ve poisoned us!” Her mother replied—“ Don’t be silly, he’s only got a stomach ache.” AVitness felt sure it was poison and went for a doctor, witness assured the court she had no recent disputes with he rmother, and that her mother had no money troubles.