THE POISONING CASE.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 319, 8 May 1878, Page 2

THE POISONING CASE.

The Wellington Chronicle, of the 2nd May, gives pretty full report of the alleged poisoning case from which we glean the following : William O’Connor was brought upon a charge of having, on Monday last, attempted to poison William Light, the proprietor of Barratt’s hotel, by placing a quantity of strychnine in a glass of whisky, which Mr Light had poured out with the intention to drink. William Light deposed to haying known prisoner for about three weeks, and that lie had been residing at the hotel. At eleven o’clock Light informed prisoner and another person named Pye who was in the parlour, that he was about to shut up for the night. Pyc loft, and Light wont on working in the bar. Snortly after O’Connor called Light and said he should be leaving early next morning and would settle up, and invited Light to have a drink with him. Two whiskeys Avere served in the parlour, Light placing one before O’Connor and the other opposite the chair on which he himself intended to sit down for a chat with O’Connor. He was, however, called away. On returning about three minutes afterwards, Light, continuing his evidence, said, “ I found the prisoner sitting in the same place. My drink was on the table. I pulled my chair up to the table and sat dovra, to have a chat before going to bed. The glass Avas in front of me with the drink in it, and I noticed there was something white from the top edge of the glass doAvn to the liquor. The “ something white” hadthe appearance of poAvder. I picked up the glass, and exclaimed, “ Good God, what’s this ?” I spoke to the prisoner, saying, “ What ever does this mean.” Prisoner replied, “ I suppose you’ve got a dirty glass.” I can SAvear positively that there Avas nothing but Avhiskey in the glass when I took it into the room. I took some of the powder from the glass and placed it on my tongue, and Avas induced to remark “ What a beastly taste.” I took the glass into the _ bar. During the time the above transpired, prisoner drank off his liquor, wishing mo “ good health.” I came back into the room after taking the liquor into the bar, when prisoner pushed by me, and unlocking the door, went into the passage and passed up to bed. After he had gone, I locked the door and went to examine the bar door, which I found locked and bolted. I then turned the gas full on, and examined the glass of whiskey, in the bottom of which I suav crystals, as also on the edges of the glass at the top. On the side of the glass the substance was like powder. I took the glass into the bar and wrote on a piece of paper a description ofAvhat had taken place. I put the glass away on the top shelf. I then re-entered the parlour, and looked to sec if I could find traces of poAvder about the room. I saw none on the table, but discovered a few crystals on the hearthrug where prisoner had been sitting. They resembled what I had seen in the glass. I tried to pick them up, put could not succeed. Next morning I found the glass exactly as I had left it the night before. I went out" and saw Mr Fife, the chemist, Avho came Avith me to my house to, look at the glass. I gave the glass to Sergeant Price in presence of Sergeant Smith, who subsequently took away the rug. After O’Connor had gone up to bed on Sunday night he came doAvn again and knocked at the bar door, saying he Avanted some

brandy and lemonade, as he thought he had been drinking a little too much. Prisoner had a very strange appearance then. His face wore a most ghastly look. I was frightened at the time in. consequence of what taken place. Prisoner took the liquor and went away. I ran round to the back and watched •prisoner’s window. Saw the prisoner next morning. Pie came into the bar between 10 and 11, and asked for a glass of ale. He said to me, ‘lf any letters come, direct them to Patea.’ I said to him ; ‘ I believe you will have to answer some questions as to what took place last night.’