Full Investigation Of Party Deaths

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31586, 25 January 1968, Page 20

Full Investigation Of Party Deaths

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 24. Staff at the chemistry division of the D.S.I.R. in Auckland are working long hours analysing food and drink samples from a Saturday night Avondale party, after which two young married women have died. The second death, last night, was of Mrs Elizabeth Anne Tobin, aged 22, of Hinemoa Street, Birkdale. The party was at the home of Mrs Anne Watt, aged 22, of Waitati Place, Avondale, who died on Sunday night.

“We have a strong lead to the cause already,” said the Government Analyst (Mr O. H. Keys) today. “But we may have a lot of work still ahead of us to eliminate other possibilities,” he said.

“We expect that to take quite some time. We are giving this inquiry priority and the staff have spent long hours on it.” The medical officer of health (Dr N. T. Barnett) whose staff are also working on the case, said it was being treated as a routine investigation.

It was likely that the cause lay in some chemical, rather than in bacteriological con-

lamination of food or drink, but all aspects had to be closely examined. He said some of the punch drunk at the party had been obtained and this, in particular, was being subjected to analysis. ; Two Children An inquest was opened this morning on the death of Mrs Tobin. It was adjourned after evidence of identification was given by her husband, Trevor Gregory Tobin, aged 25, a

motor mechanic, who gave his address as 26 Brunton Place, Glenfield. He said he last saw his wife, the mother of a three-year-old boy and an 11-month-old girl, alive on Monday. Another guest, Miss Julienne Glenys Taylor, aged 21, of Mount Roskill, is still in Auckland Hospital. A fourth, Mrs Carol Ann Williams, aged 20, of Regina Street, Grey Lynn, was discharged last night Police Inquiry The Coroner (Mr A. D Copeland) ioday also ordered a post-mortem examination of Mrs Tobin. Samples from the body were sent to the Government Analyst. Police inquiries into the poisonings were intensified today. Heading the investigation is Detective Inspector J. F. Stevenson and Detective Senior-Sergeant B. N. Middleton. The condition of Miss Taylor was reported today as a little improved. Earlier her condition was reported as fair. Punch Suspect Police inquiries are being centred on drink specially, as well as on the food served at the party, which about 20 men and women attended. Only women became seriously affected after the party and the ingredients of a punch served during the evening are under special investigation. The Coroner released the body of Mrs Watt for burial I this afternoon.