Alleged attempted Murder in Wellington.

Manawatu Herald, 19 October 1893, Page 2

Alleged attempted Murder in Wellington.

+ _ A woman named Ellen Blake was arrested early yesterday morning at her residence in Frederick street, on the charge of attempting to murder her husband, James Blake, by administering poison. Blake, who is an old man of 7»> years of age, ha 3 been removed to the Hospital, and is in a critical state. For some time Blake has been under medical treatment, suffering from a stricture, for which he was using mercurial ointment. He was in the Hospital, and recovered ; but a week or so ago he was seized with illness, which had the symptoms of general debility. A diagnosis of tha case, however, led the medical men to suspect the presence of poison. It was suggested that this might have been caused by the ointment which Blake had been using ; but enquiries on the part of the police resulted last night in the arrest of Mrs Blake. It is suspected that the poison used was calomel. Some of this drug was found in a purse or bag, belonging to Mrs Blake. Inspector Pender, Chief Detective Campbell, and Detective Ede went to the house at 10 o'clock at night. They were accompanied by Mrs Quirk, who is employed by the Police Office as female seai'cher. The house was searched, and the arrest made, the woman being taken to the Police Station at about 2.30 a.m., and charged with attempted murder. Her husband was removed to the hospital. Blake is believed to be a remittance man in receipt of money regularly from a relative at Home. The woman now in custody is his second wife. She is about 40 years of age. Mrs Blake is to appear at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning. — N.Z. Tinm.