LEFT LYING ABOUT

Northern Advocate, 4 August 1932, Page 10

LEFT LYING ABOUT

STRYCHNINE ON FARMS. COMMENTS BY CORONER. (Special to “Northern MATA MATA, This Day, . Conditions relating- to the sale of strychnine were referred to by Mr A. J. Tong, coroner, at Matamata, at .an

, inquest into the death of .Tames Park, a farmhand employed by Mr G. Graham, of Himiera. The evidence showed that deceased, who was 2~y years of age, had come from Accrington, England, seven years ago, under the Salvation Army scheme, and recently had been working, for Mr Graham under the Unemployment relief scheme. If suitable, he was to have been kept on for the milking season, but on Monday at breakfast time he had been given notice of the termination of the arrangement. About noon his employer found him suffering from poison, and before he died lie told the police and the doctor lie had taken strychnine because ■ho had been discharged and jobs were hard to get. Returning a verdict that deceased committed suicide while in a (it of-de-pression, the coroner said he thought further restrictions should be placed on the sale of strychnine. Apparently farmers could got fairly large quantities from the Department of Agriculture rather easily,.and it was left lying about. Three similar suicides had occurred recently in the -district. He considered that the poison should be kept under lock and key on farmsj when not in use, and not left lying! about.