POISONOUS PRESERVATIVE IN CREAM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 8 April 1930, Page 3

POISONOUS PRESERVATIVE IN CREAM

CHARGE AGAINST A FACTORY MANAGER DEFENDANT FAINTS IN WITNESS BOX (By Telegraph—P reus Association)

WANGANUI, 7th April. The case in which Matthew Leo Rogers, manager of the Ruahine-Rangi-wabia Dairy Factoiy, was charged with selling the' Maoriland Dairy Company cream which contained potassium bichromate, a poisonous preservative, was suddenly adjourned on Saturday morning, when the defendant fainted while under cross-examination. It was explained that he had been up all night at his factory, and had had no food on the previous day. Mr L. Cohen, for the defence, said that two suppliers of the Rangiwahia Factory had had cream rejected by the defendant. In one case there were maggots on the surface of the cream, and in the other there was a distinct flavour of kerosene. , The defendant, in evidence, said that two suppliers whose cream he rejected sent it to the Maoriland Company. Witness decided to make a check test on the Maoriland •grading. He decided to send a poor quality cream, and considered that the contents of a sample and bottles would be a good experiment. He told his to be careful not to put preservative in the bottles. VVhon the witness an adjournment until Saturday rftxt was agreed on.