Poison Inquiry Continues

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31042, 23 April 1966, Page 3

Poison Inquiry Continues

(N.Z. Press Association) ROTORUA, April 22.

Seven detectives and two doctors investigating the death of an Auckland boy and the illness of a Wellington woman after Easter functions at Taupo have reported “no developments” today.

Detective Chief Inspector B. V. Bevedge. of Hamilton, who Is heading the team of detectives, said: “Inquiries are still in the elementary stage. Until we get information which might assist I have nothing further to say.” He said the position could remain obscure for some days, depending on the number of exhibits to be checked by analysts and the results of continuing inquiries in Taupo and elsewhere. The inquiries come after the finding that the dead boy. David Charles Davison, aged 11, and the ill woman, Mrs Marjorie Ellingham, aged 54, suffered chemical poisoning. Accompanying the police are the Auckland medical officer of health (Dr. W. B. Christmas), and the Rotorua medical officer (Dr. W. C. Davidson). The team spent most of today at Tauhara township, south of Taupo, where the poisoning is thought to have occurred.

Also in Taupo today were Mr R. K. Davison, father of the dead boy, and Mr Ellingham, husband of the ill woman, both lawyers and both bach owners at Taupo. Their properties were meticulously searched. Mrs Davison, mother of the dead boy, and a Wellington woman, Mrs J. Kronfeld, are also thought to have been affected by poison, but recovered.

Investigators believe the poison probably was inadver-

tently eaten at a meal, but not all who ate the suspect items became ill. Food residues and rubbish were carefully sifted on the properties today and varieties of food used that week-end were also screened. It is believed that 16 people, many of them eminent jurists from overseas, were among the holiday group that might have been exposed to the poison. In Wellington, the acting

chief of the C. 1.8, (Detective Superintendent R. J. Walton) said he had no intention at this stage of naming any poison which might or might not be involved. “First, it is against police policy and, second, it could affect our inquiries,” he said.

Asked if there was a suspicion of foul play, Superintendent Walton said: “Until we can make a complete survey, we cannot give an answer. At present there is nothing to suggest it.”