LITTLE GIRL’S DEATH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1793, 23 February 1918, Page 3

LITTLE GIRL’S DEATH.

POISONED THROUGH EATING RADISH SEEDS. The adjourned inquest concerning the death of Dorothy Haseldeu, aged nine years, Avho died, at tho Wellington Hospital on 31st January, was concluded on Thursday morning, before Mr W. G. Riddell,'' S.M.

Dr. J. S. MaeLaurin, Dominion Analyst, Avho" made an examination of the contents'of the stomach and certain exhibits fonvarded to him by the police, reported that radish seeds were found. No reference could be found to' these seeds being poisonous, though they might he expected to have irritant properties. Tests A\ T ere made, and from these experiments it would appear that radish seeds are poisonous, and it Avas therefore highly probable that they Avere the cause of the child’s death.

Cecil C. W. Haselden, father of the deceased, gaA T e evidence that immediately prior to the death of the little girl he had some radish seeds, the remains of a packet bought for planting, in an outhouse, to Avhieh the children had access. Witness later found the seeds lying on a bench, Avhere the children had evidently upset them. The Coroner s%id that Avithout the Analyst’s report it Avould have been impossible to tell what Avas the cause of death. Although' radish seeds Avere generally considered harmless, it Avas shown that they Avere not. There Avas nothing to slioav that death was due to anything else, and a verdict Avas returned in accordance Avith the medical evidence.