TWO MEN POISONED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 299, 1 October 1935, Page 3

TWO MEN POISONED

EFFECTS OF STRYCHNINE. ACCIDENTAL SWALLOWING. (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, Sept. 30. Detectives are investigating the poisoning by strychnine of two young men who are in the Auckland Public Hospital in a critical condition. They are Ronald Downs, aged 28, of Devonport, and Cecil AlcKernan, aged 22.

The men, both of whom are single, are rabbiters. They were employed on a drainage contract by Air I. L. Chamberlain, of Ararimu. Although two detectives were engaged for the greater part of to-day in making a thorough inquiry, comparatively little has been ascertained about the manner in which the poison was taken. Both victims were far too ill to be interviewed, and before their sudden illness, it was not known that they were in possession of strychnine. “It is a mystery to us, but it looks like an accident,” said Air Chamberlain, in discussing the sudden seizure of the two men. He said that he was

milking between five and six o’clock this morning when AlcKerman came out of his hut. He was greatly distressed, and had come to summon help The other man, Downs, was on his bunk and was suffering such pain that he could not be moved. From inquiries made, it is apparent that the two young men had eaten some cake shortly after they awakened this morning, and the presence ot strychnine on the bench on which the cake was cut suggested that some of the poison was accidentally taken with the food. On a. ledge above the bench there was a bottle containing .strychnine, and the theory had been advanced that some of the contents were spilled and not noticed. Prompt measures were taken by .Vlr Chamberlain to assist the men. He is familiar with the effects of poisrn, having seen its action on animals, and he lost no time 'in administering emetics to the two sufferers. Dr. Bu<lell, of Papakura, was summoned, ano on his arrival he gave chloroform to both, the patients, who were taken to the hospital in an ambulance.