Poisoned Whiskey

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 93, 24 August 1923, Page 3

Poisoned Whiskey

TRAGEDY OPAKI.

HORSE TRAINER SUCCUMBS,

Per- Press Association

f Masterton,. August 23. A sensation,- was caused at Opaki, three miles from Masterton, this morning when it became known that two well-known horse trainers, Alex Watson and Thomas Higgins, had been poisoned. It appear s that Watson purchased a bottle of whisky [yesterday, and, with Higgins, disposed of a portion of the bottle. [ afterwards putting it under Higgins’ bed in the cottage at Opaki. After training operations at the course were completed this morning, the two men adjourned for a drink. Higgins produced the bottle from under the bed and they had drinks together, Watson immediately collapsed and died in six minutes. Higgins summoned doctors, who, on arrival; found Higgins prostrated. They administered emetics and pumped out hi 8 stomach. Higgins was admitted, to hospital and there is every chance of his recovery. Wat-on loaves a wife and family. The presence of poison in the liquor is a mystery, as both men were popular and on good terms with everybody in the neighbourhood. A sample of the liquor was recovered hy the police and forwarded to the Government analyist. The police are investigating, -■