THE POISONED MEAT CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 82, 7 April 1887, Page 2

THE POISONED MEAT CASE.

Another Death. Reference has already boon made in oar columns to the case of wholesale poisoning from eating preserved meat, and which has unfortunately caused the death of Ihakn te Tni, M.H.K.,and the Rev, Eenata Tangata. Additional particulars of this Bad affair are now to hand. It appears that on Sunday last, Archdeacon Clarke, of Parnell, had a number of friends up to dinner.. The party included Archdeacon and Mra Clarke, Messrs Wi»lpole and Beatty, Ihaka te Tai, the Rev. Hone Papahia, Ronata and Rupeno Paorata. One of the dishes contained the remnants of a tin of corned beef, which had been opened on the previous day. The four Maoris, Messrs Beatty and Walpole, and Mrs Clarke partook of the dish, and some hours later all, with the exception of Mr Beatty, were attacked with Bymptoms of poisoning— purging and vomiting. The Maoris, who are residing at the Pier Hotel, were attended by Dr. Hooper, and they loft for their homes on Monday, although owing to Ihaka's continued illness, both Dr. Hooper and Archdeacon Clark, endeavoured to induce thorn to remain. Of the others who wore affected, Mrs Clarke and Mr Walpole Buffered most ; indeed, until this morning Mrs Clarke's life was believed to be in danger. A telephone message from Parnell to-day informs us that she is now better. We are informed that this is the first instance on record of poisoning resulting from the eating of canned meat. Several cases are reported in connection with American canned fish, and it has hitherto been supposed that the germination of poisonous matter in this way, was limited to canned fish. It is of courso by no means clear thnt the presentpoisoning case arose from canned meat at all. Then poison may have accidentally found its way into, the pie of which the corned meat only formed a trifling portion. The theory that the poison did not come from the canned meat is strengthened by tho fact that boloo of the meat from the can woe oaten on the previous day without any injurious effects. The case is one that ought to be enquired into as to settle definitely the causa of tho most unfortunate accident. If the poison came from the canned meat it is aesential that data should be collected in order to prevent the recurrence of such a catastrophe. On the other hand, if, as appears probable, the poison did not arise from anything in the canning, any etigina that may attach to such articles should bs removed. Dr. Hooper states that when he last Baw the natives they had apparently got over the worst of the attack, and ho did not think that any of their lives were in danger. ♦ (BY TELEGRAPH — OWN CORRESPONDENT )