POISONED CHOCOLATES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 245, 30 July 1935, Page 6

POISONED CHOCOLATES

THE BLACKBALL CASE.

PAGE! CHARGED WITH MURDER.

FURTHER EVIDENCE FOR CROWN INTERRUPTIONS B Y ACCUSED. (Per Press Association). GREY MOUTH, This Day. In the Magistrate’s Court to-day, Mr H, Morgan, S.M., continued the hearing of the case in which John Skikelthcrpe Page, a miner, aged 36, single, a native of England, is charged that oh September 24, at Blackball, he did murder Margaret May Smith; also that on September 22, at Blackball, he attempted to murder Jean Kennedy Clark and Ethel Annie Bragg. The case was a sequel to the Blackball chocolate poisoning. There was again a large attendance of the public. Inspector Donald Cameron is conducting the case for the prosecution, and' Mr A. H. Paterson is appearing for the accused. William Shore Ogier (postmaster at ' Blackball) gave evidence regarding a parcel received at the office, addressed to Misses Clark and Bragg. There were two keys to the office—one in the possession of witness and the other in that of his assistant. The key did not leave witness’ possession during the time the parcel was in the office. On the day of Miss Smith's funeral accused called at the office, saying jie would like to see the person caught who caused her death. Herbert Ambrose Hogg, a postal clerk, gaye evidence that he had the key of the office, and it was in his possession throughout- the week-end. At this point accused, raising his right hand, remarked: “I declare the Court closed,” also telling the Inspector to sit down. William Forbes Hansen, a lettercarrier, said he was employed at Blackball on September 24. He saw a parcel and remarked that it contained chocolates, as he heard rattling noises in the box. H© delivered the package at Mis McGregor’s shop. Jean Kennedy Clark, a domestic, employed by Mrs McGregor, deposed . that on the morning of September 24 Miss Bragg directed her attention to a parcel that arrived by' post. Witness opened the package and found a small box of chocolates. Witness opened the box and found inside a note signed "Jim.” She thought it was from her cousin, James Clark, who worked next door. Witness and Bragg each ate a chocolate. Mrs McGregor was also present and ate a chocolate. As a result of what Mrs McGregor said, witness threw half of her own chocolate on the ground. She and Bragg took the chocolates to James Clark. He took two chocolates, eating them both. Accused again interrupted: "I declare the Court will adjourn at five minutes to twelve. All Stock Ex- * change movements will cease.” Witness added 1 that Miss Smith came from the bakery, took two chocolates from the box and returned to the bakery. Mr Dransfield, an hotelkeeper, came in and lie ate a chocolate. Witness returned to Mrs McGregor’s and ate another chocolate. It tasted all right while she was eating it, but left a nasty taste in her mouth. The rest of the chocolates were later taken by ,a constable. Witness took a brownpaper wrapper from the package to the post office in the afternoon and later gave it to a constable. Some time previously witness’s mother received an anonymous letter. It referred to witness and a friend, and was unfavourable. Witness also received an anonymous letter. She burned them. The note in the box of chocolates referred to a dance at Ngahere. Accused again interrupted with disjointed remarks. Witness said she did not know accused, except by sight. Accused again shouted, and the Court adjourned for a few minutes to relieve the tension of accused. Ethel Annie Bragg, a shop assistant, corroborated Miss Clark’s evidence, adding that the note inside the chocolate box referred to "lomoy, a name by which witness was known to her close friends. She noticed that the second chocolates she ate had a hole bored in the bottom. She put her tonghe on the chocolate, which had a bitter taste. She experienced no ill effects from eating the chocolate. She had not previously seen accused. Detective Holmes later showed her a note. There was no truth in the contents of the note. She did not recognise the handwriting. Had Miss Smith not come out from the bakery and seen witness w r ith the chocolates, it was not likely she would have had any. Miss Ethel McGregor gave evidence that she had a drapery business. Miss Clark and Miss Bragg were employed there. Witness corroborated the evidence of the former witness about eating the chocolates. Witness thought it had cascara or something in it. During the morning Miss Smith- became ill. Witness saw Miss Smith’s brother holding her up in the bakehouse. She looked as if she had had a fit. Witness suggested taking her from the hot bakehouse to the fresh air. Miss Smith said it hurt her. She was unable to walk to Dumpleton’s house. Dr. Hutson was sent for, and attended to Miss Smith. Later witness returned to Dumpleton's house, where Miss Smith was apparently in convulsions. Miss Smith died shortly afterwards. The Court adjourned for luncheon.