POISONING TRAGEDY.

New Zealand Herald, 29 June 1914, Page 9

POISONING TRAGEDY.

END OF GAY HOLIDAY.

DEATHS IN EARLY HOURS-

The Sydney coiner commenced an in'

I quiry last week concerning the deaths.of | George Wiscombe, a florist, and Edith do iVero Hunt, proprietress of a boardinghouse in Wilton Street,. Sydney. Wiscombe' and Mis. Hunt resided at this house, and they died within a few hours of each other.

Senior-Constable Torpey said that about 3.30 a.m. on May 12 deceased, Edith do Vere Hunt, and a Mr. Hillston called at tho station, and reported the death of a George 'Wiscombe at a house in Wilton Street. He went to the house and examined tho body, which was lying on a bed. Tho man had been dead for some time. On making a search witness found in the waistcoat 14 sovereigns, and on the tiiantlepieco a gold watch, gold chain and two gold trinkets. On deceased's right hand were three gold rings. Ho returned to the station, and about nine o'clock tho same morning was informed that Mrs. Hunt had died. He again returned to Wilton Street, and saw tier body, From inquiries since made, it appeared that Wiscombo arrived from Brisbane on April 23 with a lady, and stayed at the Urosvcnor Hotel. On the afternoon of the same day he handed to tho manager of the hotel £180 in notes. Ho remained at the hotel till May 4, and then went to the house in Wilton Street. Included in tho property found in Mrs. Hunt's bedroom were some jewellery and two life insurance policies. Wiscombe. had spent money freely, driving about in motor-cars, going to theatres and attending race meetings. Dr. Palmer, who made an examination of the bodies, said death, in his opinion, was due in each case to poisoning by cyanide of potassium. Richard Felix Hillston said he had know Wiscombo for two or three 'yearn, and he was associated with him in business. Wiscombo had a wife in bnsbane ' and ono son. He last saw Wiscombe alive at tho end of March, and Mrs. Hunt alive on May 12. Sho was not well then. About 1.30 a.m. Mrs. Hunt rang up witness, and said Mr. Wiscombe had just died, and sho added, " If you don't come I will have to put it in the hands of the police." She also said Wiscombo had told her to ring him up if anything happened. Later Mrs. Hunt complained of being very tired, and shortly afterwards witness saw Captain Banks carrying Mrs. Hunt out of tho bedroom. Cap. •tain Banks informed witness he had found her there with Wiscombo's body. Captain Banks laid her on a sofa in the sittingroom, and she appeared to revive somowhat. Sho said, "Get me some bromo seltzer." Captain Banks went to tho front room and returned with a blue bottle. Mrs. Hunt poured a portion of the contents into a cup in which there was a liquid, and drank the lot. Shi' immediately got worse and seemed to be choking. Captain Banks said sho would soon he all right, and be carriod hoi upstairs. No suggestion was mads ot sending for a doctor. Witness did not think it advisable on account of what Captain Banks said. Senior-Sergeant O'Dea said he interviewed Cecelia Hall at a house in Wilton Street, where she resided wit# her husband. • Mrs. Hall informed him that on the night Wiscombe and Mrs. Hunt and another woman wont to the theatre, Captain Banks came to tho house and asked where they had all gone. He was told, and made "no roply, but wont out again. He returned in about half an hour and went to bed. When the theatre party returned Captain Banks was called downstairs, and then Wiscombo, he, and Mrs. Hunt remained downstairs until ifter midnight. At 1 a.m. Mrs. Hunt :ame to Mrs. Hall's room and informed ier Wiscombe was dead. Mrs. Hall did lot go down, as she had heard that (Viscombe might die at any time, but a ittle later Captain Banks knocked at her loor and said, "Come, quick,_ I think Edith (meaning Mrs. Hunt) is gone." Mrs. Hall then went into Mrs. Hunt's room.and saw her lying on tho bod 'rothing from the mouth. She never repined . consciousness. At this stage the inquiry was adjourned n order to procure the evidence of Capain Banks.