THE ALLEGED POISONING CASE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 533, 30 April 1878, Page 2

THE ALLEGED POISONING CASE.

A case of rather startling circumstances came to light at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon. A man named William O’Connor, an ex-sorgeant in the police force, was placed in the dock charged with attempting to poison Mr.-Light, the proprietor of, Barrett's Hotel, Lambton-quay. It appears that O’Connor and Mr. Light were on the most friendly terms. , At about eleven o’clock on Sunday night they were taking a parting glass together before retiring to rest. After the drinks had been served; Hr. Light left the room , tor a few minutes, and on returning was just going to drink it, when he noticed that his liquor had a peculiar, thick appearance. Not liking the look of it, he dipped, iris finger in the glass, and on tasting the contents felt sure something deleterious had been put into it.' He acoordingly placed the glass on one side, and the next morning found that it contained a thick sediment. Thinking that there was something wrong, he took the contents to a chemist in town, who, after looking at it, believed the sediment to be morphia, but at the same time strongly advised Mr. Light to have it, properly analysed by the’ Government analyist. The liquor was forthwith sent to Dr, Hector, by whom a report was forwardedto the police, stating that he'believed) so far as he could judge, the liquor (whisky) submitted to him contained strychnine, but that further examination would be made on the return of Mr. Skey, the Government analyst. No doubt when the case comes before the Court again the facts will be fully investigated. At present it appears altogether a mysterious affair. "