ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9335, 19 October 1893, Page 5

ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO MURDER.

A WIFE IN CUSTODY. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] Wellington*, Wednesday. At half-past two this morning a woman named Ellen Blake was arrested at her residence in Frederick-street on a charge of attempting to murder her husband, James Blake, by administering poison. Blake, an old man of 73 years of age, has been removed to the hospital, and is in a critical state. For some time Blake has been under medical treatment, suffering from stricture, for which he was using mercurial ointment, He was in the hospital and recovered, but a week or two ago he was seized with an illness which had the symptoms of general debility. Daignosis of the case, however, led medical men to suspect the presence of poison. It was suggested that this might have been caused by the ointment which Blake had been using, but inquiries on the part of the police resulted last night in the arrest of Mrs. Blake. It is suspected that the poison used was calomel. Some of this drug was found in a purse or bag belonging to Mrs. Blake. Her husband was removed to the hospital. The woman now in custody is his second wile. She is about fifty years of age. Blake lies in a critical condition at the Hospital. For some time the medical gentleman attending him had suspicions that he was suffering from poison, and on his complaining that the medicine had not been administered to the patient, Mrs. Blake changed the doctor. The new attendant had the same opinion, and late last evening the police were informed. At midnight the inspector and detectives visited the accused's house, and took her into custody. Calomel, it is alleged, was the poison used, and the police are endeavouring to ascertain where it was purchased. Blake is in receipt of remittances from his brother in England. Mr 3. Blake was charged this morning with attempted murder, and was remanded until the 27th. Bail was refused.