The Poisoning of a Wedding Party.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6257, 2 January 1892, Page 4

The Poisoning of a Wedding Party.

Wellington, Wednesday. — The Post's Maaterton correspondent sends the following details of the very lamentable poisoning case at Pahinturt : — On Friday last, Christinas Day, Mr W. •7. Secule, of Pahiutiri, was miriied to Miss Nivylur, of thu same township, and a large number of nearly HO in all, were invitud to j>:ut;iUts of tho weddinsi breakfast, including fiu-nds from Masti»rton and surrounding districts. The festivities of the day being over the company dispersed in iho usual tnannor, and those who lived in the neighborhood retired to their homes. A number of guests, however, remained in the house of the bride's father, and on the afternoon of the folowing day (Saturday) partook of refreshments, slightly different to those used at the wedding breakfast. All went merrily as a marriage-bell until early on Sunday morning, when the whole of the guests of Saturday were attacked by intense vomiting, abdominal pains, frightful purging, cramps, and a peculiar taste in the mouth. As the symptoms appeared to be those of poisoning, Mr Kidd, the local chemist, was communicated with, and expressed the opinion that the symptoms were those of biliousness, resulting from the feasting of the previous day, and prescribed accordingly. As the pains, however, became more intense and the vomiting increased, the matter was reported to the police, who sent to Woodville for a doctor. On his arrival, Dr Devonport discovered strong symptoms of arsenical poisoning, and administered emetics, which afforded temporary relief to several. The poison had, however, by this time got a good hold of the systems of its victims, the jaws of some of whom became quite rigid. On Tuesday morning most alarming symptoms presented themselves, and Mr Kidd, chemist, sent an urgent message to Dr Hosking, of Masterton, requesting him to come up at onco. The doctor readily responded, and leaving by the five o'clock train, arrived in Pahiarua about nine. He first visited Mrs Peter Dickson, of Masterton, and found her in a serious condition, convulsions having set in. He did all that was in his power to afford relief, and was called immediately afterwards to the bedside of Mr Dickson, whom ho found in a dying condition. He was quite unconscious, and had tetanic convulsions. The doctor had been in the room only a few minutes when the unfortunate victim gave a convulsive gasp and died. Dr Hosking then proceeded to the house of Mr Joseph Moore, of Rock Koad, whom he found perfectly rigid, having died half an hour previously. Mrs Moore and sevoral children were still suffering, and everything was done to relieve them. Although only two deaths had occurred when Dr. Hosking left last night most or the victims, between 20 and 30 altogether, are in a serious condition. Mrs Liickson and several others are rallying, but the secondary effects of the poison have yet to be gone through, aud may prove serious. Dr. Hosking has no doubt, however, that the poison taken was arsenic, but how it came to be in the food is a mystery. Singularly enough those who partook of the food on Friday (Christmas Day) only have escaped, while of those who were present on Saturday, with the exception of the bride, whe- ate nothing, all have been attacked. The doctor is of opinion that arsenic might have found its way into some of the confectionery in mistake for baking powder. It could not, as was at first thought, have been mixed with the pudding, as some of the pudding had been eaten some days before without deleterious effects. Arsenic could not have been taken in a soluble condition, otherwise its effects would soon have been felt. No symptoms of poisoning were shown until after the expiration of twelve hours, it must therefore have been slowly digested, and have attacked the stomach. Not less than three grains must have been taken to cause f.ital results. None of the victims have slept since the poison was taken, and they were greatly alarmed. Dr. Hosking did all he could to relievo the sufferers, and returned to Masterton this morning. He leaves again to-day, taking with him as many remedies as possible. So many different foods were partaken or at the wedding feast that it is difficult to trace the poison. How arsenic came to be in the food is a complete mystery. A quantity of confectionery has been handed over to Dr Hosking, who will make a cartful analysis. A profound sensation was caused in Masterton when it became known that Mr DicKson had succumbed to tho effects of the poison, and that his wife was lying in a dangerous condition. During their residence in Masterton Mr and Mrs Dickson have both become deservedly popular, and the death of no person in the town could have been more generally lamented than that of Mr Dickson. He was a native of Victoria, and had been a resident in the colony for 17 years, and has resided in Masterton about 7 years. Mr Dickson was proprietor of a large drapery business carried on at Masterton, Pahiatua, and Danevirke, under the title of the Wholesale Drapery Co., and was a prominent member of the Masonic order, being master elect tor the ensuing year of Masterton Lodge, N.Z.C. Deceased, H^Bko was 36 3*cars of age, leaves a family three girls and a boy. His life H^^Ks insured in the Mutual Life AssociaS tion of Australia for LIOOO.