CONTEMPORARY NEWS.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 181, 20 January 1893, Page 2

CONTEMPORARY NEWS.

THE POISONING CASE. At the inquest on the body of Walter Nelson last Friday no evidence was given to show how the arsenic got into “the cream of tartar. Mr Boyle, the grocer, bought the jar and its’ contents from bharland aud Co., and had done nothing to it but take out some of the contents from time to time. Herbert Baber, employed at Sharland’s, remenbered the jar being supplied to Mr Bovle. It contained 101 bs of cream of tartar, and was duly labelled. 'The jar was completely filled before being sent out. The firm did not manufucturo the cream of tartar. It was obtained from Loudon The cream of tartar was imported in casks and then filled in jars like the one produced Win ess stated that the arsenic was imported in irou drums. He did not think that any ersemc could have adhered to tho bottom of the jar when it was filled. Witness could not see how it was possible for the arsenic to get into the jar in Bharland aud Go’s establishment. Ho did not think the firm was to blame. The arsenic was kept on the ground floor and the cream of tartar some two floors above. Dr Philson : It appears then that the arsenic mußt have got into it iu England, Witness replied that he could not say. At anv rate it could not have got in whilst in Sharland and Co s. ~Dr -Philson :So you think it is better to throw the blame on the Britishers? (Laughter.) In answer to questions by Mr Brookfieid witness stated that some 6cwt of cream of tartar had been jarred at the same time as the jar referred to, aud had all been Sold, and there had been no complaints except in Nelson’s case. No arsenic was kept where the bottles were washed and arsenic was never put iu jars in Messrs Shariand’s establishment. It was sold in drums or in tins or parcels. The witness was also examined by Mr Cotter. He said the fact that some 9ilbs out of the lOlbs m the jar having been sold" and no complaint made, except in reference to tho last half pound made it look as though the cream of tartar had been placed in a jar which contained arsenic. At this stage the foreman of the jury said it was unnecessary to hear any further evidence. Dr. Philson was about to remark as to what verdict might be returned, wheroupon two of tho jurymen said that they would not have a verdict put iu their mouths. THE VERDICT. After about an hour’s deliberation, the foreman of the jury announced that they had agreed on a verdict as follows : —"That Walter Nelson came by his death by arsenical poison containe 1 in a jam sandwich takeu accidentally.’ The following rider was added:—“That chemists should he more careful in future.” Dr, Philson, the coroner, asked whether the jury meant that anyone had been culpably up;.ligeut, and thereby caused deceased's death. Such negligence had not been proved in the evidence. A juryman : Snch a verdict was not intended. Dr Philson .• Then perhaps the rider casting such a reflection should not be added. The Foreman : That is our verdict. I don’t think that the jury will be willing to alter it in any way. I am not quite prepared to gira reasons. A. juryman ; There has been neglect somewhere. Chemists should be more careful in the handling of poisons. ° Dr Philson ; Then you are simply giving advice to chemists in general. A juryman : Yes, Air Coroner. Dr Philson: I suppose jou will be thanked for it.