TRAGIC POISONING FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1132, 12 August 1913, Page 2

TRAGIC POISONING FATALITY.

MOTHER ATTEMPTS TO FATALLY POISON HUSBAND & FAMILY.

“ ROUGH ON RATS” IN THEIR TEA.

THE MOTHER SUCCUMBS

A tragic poisoning case took place in Johnston Street last night, when Mrs Kathleen Hynes attempted to bring about the death of her husband and three children by placing “Rough on Rats” in their tea during the evening meal. The poison had a fatal effect upon the demented mother, and the others had narrow escapes. Mr Hynes is a recent arrival in the district, and came here with the object of seeing whether the change would improve his wife’s health. For some time past the deceased had been in a state of melancholy. The case is a very sad one, and much sympathy is extended to the husband and little ones. The story of the deed was unfolded at the inquest.

THE INQUEST. An inquest in connection with the above was held before Mr A. Fraser, District Coroner, this afternoon. Sub-Inspector Marsack appeared on behalf of the police. The following evidence was taken : William Henry Hynes, labourer, employed on a river boat, husband of deceased stated that he arrived in Foxton last Tuesday. His wife and one child came to Foxton three weeks on Thursday. They occupied a house in Johnston Street. The deceased was 35 years of age. The family consists ot two daughters and a son. The deceased had been in a very bad state of health since last December. She had not been under medical treatment in Foxton. She was despondent, but never gave any indication that she intended to take her lite. Yesterday morning witness left the house at about half-past six. Witness took deceased a cup of cocoa in the morning, and she said, “Oh, Barney, I’m lonely.” Witness returned home at a quarter to six in the evening. The evening meal was prepared. Deceased then seemed brighter than she had been in the morning. Shortly alter witness got home he sat down to have tea. Witness and the two children drank tea. He did not see deceased drink any tea. While witness was having his tea the eldest child, Vera, started vomiting. Witness asked deceased what the child had been eating, and she said they had been down town and had some lollies to eat. The child got worse and witness picked her up and carried her into bed. When w ituess returned from the bedroom the other child, Kathleen, was leaning over a chair, vomiting. Witness then asked deceased again what the children had eaten that day. She walked up to witness with Vera and said, “I’ve poisoned the lot of us, Barney ! ” Witness suffered very slight effects only irom the two sips of tea he had taken. Witness questioned deceased as to how she had poisoned them and she said. “I put poison in your tea.” Witness asked where she got the poison and she replied, “From the chemist.” He then asked for the box or paper containing it and she produced a box of “rough on rats” from the pocket of her jacket. Witness then sent his brother for medical assistance and Dr. Mandl was summoned. When witness returned, deceased and the two children were vomiting. The doctor came in immediately afterwards and attended the deceased and the children. Deceased was ill all night, witness remaining with her. She died at ten minutes to six this morning.

Dr. Mandl deposed being called to Hynes’ house in Johnston Street at about six o’clock last night and on arrival found Mrs Hynes and the two children vomiting, showing distinct signs of some form of irritant poison. Witness applied the usual remedies. Deceased was showing the most violent symptoms. The husband handed witness the box of “rough on rats,” which was almost empty. Some loose “rough on rats” was afterwards found in deceased’s jacket pocket. Witness took possession of the contents of the teapot and afterwards tested it and found it contained arsenic in fairly large quantities. Witness remained until half-past eleven when they all seemed easier and was sent for again between half-past 6ve and six o’clock this morning, and on arrival found that had just died. Deceased told witness that she had given them poison and hinted as her reason that she was not 6t to look after the children. Deceased consulted wituesss some days previously about her mental condition. At the present time one of the children was out of danger, but the other was not. The cause of deceased’s death was heart failure due to arsenical poisoning. Ernest Healey, chemist, stated that deceased called at his shop between three and four o’clock yesterday afternoon and said she wanted some poison for destroying rats, and witness sold her a box of “Rough on Rats.” Witness only knew deceased by sight. Deceased signed the Poisons Book “Mrs Wilson, Johnston Street.” Witness did not know whether that was her name or not. She appeared quite rational and said the rats were annoying her very much and were gnawing holes in the cupboard-I The Coroner returned a verdict

that the deceased died from effects of a poison known as “ rough on rats,” self administered while suffering from a depressed state of mind.