WOMAN'S DEATH

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 31, 5 August 1930, Page 15

WOMAN'S DEATH

POISON IN RAISINS

DECLARED IT A MISTAKE

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) GISBORNE, 4th August.

An unusually long and searching inquiry was held to-day by the Coroner, Mr. Harper, concerning tho death of: Mrs, Christina Sutherland M'Mahon, 31 years of age, who died on 24th July from the effects of poison. Medical'evidence was given to the effect that the deceased told a doctor and also a house surgeon of tho Cook Hospital that she filled some , raisins with poison to- kill rats, and had taken the raisins by mistake. The principal witness was a married man named Bobert Milton Bell, who visited the deceased shortly before she was found suffering from poison.

Bell in evidence said he went to the deceased's home in response to a telephone message from her. .On arrival, ho said, she offered him a ring as security for a loan of £25 he had made her two months previously. He said ho refused to accept the ring, and. then left, saying he did not want cither the money or the ring. "When he got home ho found the ring in his overcoat pocket. Witness said he had previously lent the deceased sums up to £25 to assist her in her business as a dressmaker, and she had assisted to keep his books. He had known the deceased.for three years, and formerly boarded with the deceased and her husband. Tho witness was subjected to a searching cross-examination by the police and the Coroner. tIn giving his verdict, the Coroner said it was quite evident that death was the result of strychnine poisoning. The question was whether it was taken intentionally or accidentally. The evidence of two doctors showed the deceased had stated that the poison j was taken accidentally in raisins. The deceased also told other witnesses that she took the poison accidentally. "It is quite evident the poison was taken by the deceased after Bell had called on her that afternoon," said the Coroner. "She said she took tho poison in a raisin, but it seems strange she should have taken it by accident. O»Iy one person can throw light on the whole matter, and that is the witness Bell. I am quite sure he is not telling us all, and I am not satisfied with tho manner in which he gave his evidence. He appears to bo keeping something concealed. There seems no reason why she should have taken her own life, and tho loan by Bell was not by any means sufficient reason. There must have been some other motive if she took poison intentionally, and Bell appears the only one who can give any indication of that." Tho Coroner said tho evidence must be regarded as a whole, and in view of the fact that the deceased stated she took the poison accidentally, Ins finding would be that she died as a result of strychnine poisoning accidentally taken. ___ '