POISONING RATS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23075, 28 June 1938, Page 12

POISONING RATS

FRAUD ALLEGED THREE CHARGES DENIED ADJOURNMENT OF CASE Appearing on summons before Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday, Peter Bryce Cunningham, labourer and salesman, was charged on three counts of obtaining, ot" attempting to obtain, with intent to defraud, money of a total value of £1 2s 6d, from a city firm. Ii was stated in the charges that defendant had falsely represented that preparations handed to a storeman employed by the firm contained rat poison. Defendant, who was represented by Mr. "Robinson, pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Detective-Sergeant McHugh said that defendant had represented himself to the firm as a rat destructor and had been engaged to undertake such work. Allegation by Prosecution "' So far from killing Tats," added Mr. McHugh, "it will be shown that defendant actually fed them with nice, clean mince meat.''' The Magistrate: Perhaps he intended killing them with kindness. (Laughter). Detective 11. C. Brown said he interviewed defendant on May 21, when ho signed a written statement concerning the work he had undertaken. In the statement defendant described his method of laying poison, which he told the manager of the shop would destroy rats after several applications. Defendant stated that on either May 17 or IS, he had gone to the store just before closing time, taking with him some fresh minced meat, with which he had mixed some poison. After placing the meat about the store, he received payment of 7s 6d. Claim by Defendant Similar procedure adopted by defendant on May 19, 20 and 21 -was also described in his statement. Ho said he knew two substances' named to bo poisons and stated definitely there was either one or the other of the two present in all four applications of meat made in the shop. Evidence was given by two analytical chemists that they had tested samples of the meat left with the storeman by defendant for spreading after sweeping of the shop had been completed. Tests made for the presence of certain compounds in poisonous quantities in the meat had resulted in negative reactions. Slight traees of one had been discovered, hut both witnesses said minute traees of the element were present in all foods. The hearing was adjourned until tomorrow, when evidence for the defence will be called.