MANSLAUGHTER CASE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 177, 10 May 1935, Page 6

MANSLAUGHTER CASE.

DEATH AFTER DOSE OF QUININEA WAIKATO TRAGEDY. (Per Press Association). HAMILTON, May 9. A charge of manslaughter by killing his wife, Alma Cleverley Telfer, aged 21, was preferred against Archibald Herbert Telfer, aged 27, a farmer, of Ngall ape, in the Magistrate s Court to-day. The police led evidence to show that the accused purchased half an ounce of quinine from a_Te Awanuitu chemist, on his wife’s instructions. He mixed it with brandy, and half an hour after taking the dose she died. The chemist concerned said the accused did not disclose for what purpose he wanted- the quinine, which was not classed as a poison, and the ordinary layman was not avvaie it wa.poisonous. K. M. Griffin, Government Analyst, said that on examining certain organs he found 22t grains of quinine, and a considerable further amount had been absorbed. It was evident that the woman had taken a large. dose shortly before death. A iftedicinal dose of quinine was up to 10 grains. Dr. E. Bridgman said death, in his opinion, was due to quinine poisoning. In a statement to the police, Telfer said he did not know that half an ounce of quinine would kill his wife. The accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed for trial at the Hamilton Supremo Court.