DEATHS ON THE MOANA.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 January 1919, Page 2

DEATHS ON THE MOANA.

THE INQUIRY CONTINUED.

By Tel#fr*pl.-—Presi AsioeitUM. Wellington, Jan. 25.

At the Moana inquiry, Gilbert Frank Kassel, metallurgist, of South Australia, who was a passenger on the boat, said he smelt tho remains of the drinks taken 'by deceased and detected the odour of bitter almonds, which was characteristic of cyanide of potasium. In soda water bottles he detected the same Ddoirf..

Captain Bartow, master of the Moana, said Dr. Grimm was u. man of temperate habits and equable temper. He had a i comfortable income apart from his pay. So far as witness lcnew Miss Isbister had not met the doctor before, and there was no intimacy Iwtween them. After the deaths witness examined the drinks, very little of which had been taken. In one he detected a foreign odour. He li«d bottles, tho remainder of the drinlcs, tumblers, sugar, and lemon squash sealed mp. At Papeete 'the drinks -were analysed, and disclosed the presence of cyanide of potassium. Oxalie acid was I used oa the ship for scrubbing floors, etc. It was kept in a bottle in the bar. Afterwards a email bottle of oxalie acid was found in a port alleyway. The doctor was the only mail who had access to tho dispensary.

Chief-officer Prossw said that after tile deaths a steward named Ives, replying to a speculation on the part of a passenger, said: '"He's put oxalic acid in tho drinks instead of sugar." Ives also volunteered a statement that oxalic acid was kept beside the sugar in the ■bar.

Charles Simpson, head saloon waiter, said that Grimm, after drinkin said there was something wrong with the drink. Witness told Belshaw, the second steward, what had happened, and he said: "My God, I've poisoned two people with oxalic acid in mistake for lime juice." Belshaw gave evidence as to preparing the drinks ivith sugar and lemons and soda water. In his excitement at the time he may have spoken as Simson allowed, but lie was sure oxalic acid was not used in mixing the drinks. ;

The inquest was adjourned till Monday.