THE CONWAY CASE

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4304, 13 March 1901, Page 5

THE CONWAY CASE

EVIDENCE OF POISONING

(Received Alarch 12, 4.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, March. 12.

The inquest on the body of the man Conway, who died on board the Talune, was continued to-day. The Government Analyst deposed that as the result of a chemical analysis of the contents of the stomach removed by ; the Government Pathologist at the.postmortem on February 21st. he found ' strychnine present amounting to nearly ■ three-quarters of a grain. He also ex- ■ amined the kidney on the left side, tne heart and a portion of. the liver taken - from Conway’s body on March 2nd. After examination he found strychnine in all. Ha also found strychnine .in all the viscera and their contents. Three-quarters of a grain of strychnine in some organs of the body was a deadly dose. The Government Pathologist, re-cal-led, said that half a grain of strychnine would kill a man. . There were indications that the poison had been introduced by the mouth. The symptoms manifested by Conway when dying were, in witness’s opinion, proof that death was due to strychnine. (Received March 12, 10.18 p.m.) SYDNEY. March 12. The Government Pathologist said strychnine could not* be readily taken with food without the taste being detected. If administered in beer it could be much more readily concealed. Alfred Allen, who worked his passage by the Talune, said he became acquainted with Conway a couple of days after the steamer left Wellington. Before Conway was seized with his fatal illness, witness saw a woman go forward. A few minutes afterwards she went away again. Shortly after the same woman, judging by her dress, came forward again. ■ She appeared to have something Under her mackintosh. She spoke to Conway, and the two sat down on the hatch. Conway then put something to his mouth as if drinking. Conway and the woman sat conversing for about half an hour. Subsequently Conway was talking to witness and a companion. Referring to the woman with whom he had been sitting, he said, “That is my missus.’' Conway handed witness and his mate each a plum, which he said his “missus” had brought. He also said she had brought him a drink. Witness said to Conway: “It seems funny the lady should travel saloon and you forward.” Conway replied, “Always save your money; you can never be too 'careful.” Witness and bis companion went away for a short time. When they came back they fdand Conway ill. In witness’s opinion the woman in Court (indicating ilrs Smith), judging from her height and build, was the one he saw sitting on the hatch with Conway. He did not notice her face. Witness-himself next moming was seized with a slight fit. He did ■ not attribute it to the plum Conway gave him.

The inquest was adjourned till tomorrow afternoon.

(Received March 13. 1.14 a.m.) MELBOURNE, March 12,

A detective has left for Sydney accompanied by stewards from the Talun© named Fletcher and Liardat, who will give evidence in the Conway case.