THE KUMARA POISONING CASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2004, 21 July 1892, Page 36

THE KUMARA POISONING CASE.

Kumaua, July 13. Tho hearing of the charge of poisoning her husband preferred against Mrs Conlon was resumed to-day. Four witnesses were examined. Mrs Priest, the new tenant of Conlon's cottage, said cats were a great nuisance, and it was impossible to sleep at night because of them. They even came inside if the door were left open. There were also holes similar to rat holes in tho kitchen fireplace. George Ingoll, storekeeper, from whom the poison was purchased, was examined at length. In crossexamination by Mr Free, he would not swear accused had not said her husband asked her to purchase the poison, nor would he swear that tho word "cats" had not been used. There are five or six other witnesses to be examined. The case will likely be continued to-morrow. Mrs Coulon was much livelier to-day, taking a keen interest in the proceedings. As the court was cold this morning, she was accommodated with a seat by tho fire, where she sat taking notes freely. July 14. The hearing of the charge of poisoning her husband preferred against Mrs Conlon was resumed. The case for the prosecution terminated at 12 o'clock. Mr Free, in his address, sought to have the charge thrown out. Mrs Conlon's demeanour, he declared, had been most natural and wifely throughout, and there was not any suspicion attaching to her. Her answer to Constable M'Kay was direct and reasonable, because the constable had said : " Have you any poison, or had you any in the house ?" and it was natural that she in her father's house should say "No." He had an objection to a Supreme Court trial only because it would confine a delicate woman for two months in gaol. Major Keddell congratulated counsel upon his address. He felt bound to commit, nevertheless, because it was only fair to the accused and her relations that the utmost light should be thrown upon this most serious affair. Accused_ was then formally committed for trial, bail being refused. William Watson recently wrote some lines on Lord Tennyson's '• Forester."," which ran : Far be the hours wheu lesser brows shall wear The laurel glorious from that wintry hair. The Laureate has since written to Mr Watson to this effect: — "If by 'wintry hair' you allude to a tree whose leaves are half gone, you are right ; but if you mean • white ' you are wrong, for I never had a gray hair on my head."