RECENT CASE OF ATTEMPTED POISONING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5404, 23 July 1878, Page 2

RECENT CASE OF ATTEMPTED POISONING.

From the following statement of facts if will be seen that strychnine has been ' found in O’Connor’s waistcoat. Acting on instructions received from- Inspector Atoheson, Sergeant Smith went to the gaol, and with Turnkey Donaldson took some of O'Connor’s clothes to Dr. Diver’s house, without, as has been stated, previously calling at the police station. Both were in company the whole time, and the things .were opened in Dr. Diver’s presence. He made a careful examination of the pockets with a magnifying glass, and found crystals, which, upon being tested, were proved to be strychnine. Dr. Diver noticed something in the watch-pocket .of a white waistcoat which he was the first to examine, and having cut out the pocket, he discovered strychnine in it. He then recommended that the things should be taken to Dr. Hector in order that the crystals should be analysed. They were carefully packed up in Dr. Diver’s presence, and Sergeant Smith and Turnkey Donaldson together took them to Dr. Hector, who has made the following report : .

Results of analysis of articles forwarded by the Commissioner of Police, per Sergeant Smith, ’Wellington. Received, 19th July, 1878. Reported tm, 20th July. I. Folded paper containing fragments of tobacco, buttons. &c., and a pocket lining, stated to be taken from a light-colored waistcoat belonging to O’Connor. 11. A black waistcoat, stated to belong to O’Connor, was shown to me, and marked by me, and from the pocket I removed some dust and a few. crystalline grains that were adhering to the lining. 111. Folded paper containing tobacco, a nail, and buttons, stated to be from the pocket of a drab tweed coat belonging to O’Connor. '' ■. In articles I. and 11. I found strychnine, but could not detect it in HI, James Hector.'