CASE OF POISONING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20241, 29 April 1929, Page 11

CASE OF POISONING.

ENGLISH WOMAN'S DEATH. PROCEEDINGS AT INQUEST. Australian and N.Z. I'iess Association. (Received April 29, 12.35 a.m.) LONDON. April 2S. "At an inquest concerning the death of Vera Sidnev, aged 40, whoso body was exhumed a month ago at the same time as her mother's, Dr. Ryffel, Homo Office analyst, stated in evidence that poison was found in the body. The inquest was adjourned.

At an earlier sitting a sensation was caused by Mrs. Sidney's son, Thomas, giving evidence to the effect that his mother had suggested to him on her deathbed that she had been poisoned. He and I.ir sister, Mrs. Duff, are interested in Vera Sidnev's will.

There were extraordinary scenes on tho night <4f March 22 at Croydon, when five bodies were exhumed at tho instance of the police. The bodies wero those of Mrs. Violet Sidney,..aged 69. the widow of a barrister, her daughter, Vera, aged 40, who died <m February 19, her brother-in-law, Edmund Duff, aged 59, a former High Commissioner for Nigeria, who died in April last year, and Mr. Duff's two daughters. Suzanne, aged two, who died in 1904, and Margaret, aged seven, who died iu 1919

The' exhumation simultaneously of so many bodies is probably unprecedented. Investigations began after tho sudden death of Mrs. Sidney, when tho coroner adjourned tho inquest, without giving any

explanation. Scotland Yard detectives have since tiien 'pursued their inquiries with the greatest secrecy. The disinterment, was begun in tho cemetery after midnight, behind canvas screens.

Ail ijjqnesi. was held at Croydon on May 2, 1923, concerning tho death of Mr. Edmund Creig htoii Duff, by the f rovdon coroner, Dr. 11. B. Jackson. He had died after a short illness. It was Mated that certain organs had been sent, to the Homo Office for analysis, as poisoning was suspected. Mr. Duff was for 13 - years Commissioner for Nigeria. His widow said he went on April 2.5 to Hampshire on a fishing holiday. Sl;c met him at the station on his return, and lie said he felt "'absolutely rotten." His throat was stiff and sore, mid he ached all over Ho thought ho had fever. His doctor was called in, ; ""l ue\t day two doctors attended him. J7e collapsed about midnight and died.