POISON MYSTERY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20425, 2 October 1934, Page 7

POISON MYSTERY.

Two Anonymous Letters Recalled. BLACKBALL INQUIRIES. (Special to the “Star.”) BLACKBALL, October 2. The mystery surrounding the death of Margaret Smith, of Blackball, con- ' tlnues to produce sensations. In an interview this morning, Airs G. Clark, the mother of Miss Jean Clark, one of the girls to whom the chocolates were addressed, revealed that in four months prior to the tragedy two anonymous letters making allegations against her daughter were received. They indicated a possible motive of jealousy. The writer is unknown. Airs Clark said that the first letter arrived about four months ago, addressed to Jean. It could not be described as a threatening letter, but possibly as a warning. It made certain accusations against a young man, a friend of Jean's, and was signed “A Friend.” The letter was in a disguised hand, possibly with the left hand, and was. almost indecipherable. No notice was taken, and two months later a further letter arrived, addressed to Mrs Clark. It was couched in similar terms. “ I thought of taking them to the constable, but decided that would only make matters worse,” said Mrs Clark. She kept the letters for two weeks and then burnt them, as nothing further was received. However, she kept an envelope, and this is in the possession of the police. Both letters were posted in Blackball. Mrs Clark could not say that the writing on the letters was similar to the writing on the note in the box. That note was printed in ink. She is convinced that the poison was intended for her daughter and that Miss Bragge's name was added only to remove suspicion. Mrs Clark and her daughter know no one who might harbour a grudge. No one had reason for jealousy to their knowledge. They consider that the sender of the letters and the chocolates must be mentally deranged. It is understood that an analvst’s report received yesterday states that death was due to strychnine poisoning and that low grade strychnine crystals were found in the chocolates examined. This has not been verified officially. Rigorous Inquiries. No official statement has been made as yet, but detectives are making rigorous inquiries in Blackball and Greymouth. It is revealed now that the chocolates were in a pound box manufactured in a New Zealand factory. They were not fresh and had apparently been in stock some time. The chocolates were eaten by several people. Two felt ill afterwards, losing control of their hands and suffering symptoms similar to lockjaw. Two others disliked the taste and did not swallow the sweets. Both Miss Clark and Miss Bragge ate some of the chocolates, but neither suffered ill-effects. The box apparently was partly deliberately doctored. Margaret Smith ate two of the chocolates. The girls are mystified by the note. It is presumed that the name “ Jim ” was an assumed one. Mrs Clark thought that the writing on the letters was a woman’s, but was not sure. It is not yet definite where the box was posted. The postmark is not clear, but it is thought to have been Greymouth, Wellington or Waiuta, Extensive police inquiries are being made in Greymouth, where sweet shops have been visited bv detectives. No boxes of the type are sold in Blackball and are not generally stocked in Greymouth. To the girls, the box appeared to have been unopened. It wrapped in celophane, sealed at the ends, and had apparently been untouched. The note referring to a meeting at Ngahere on Friday night is thought to refer to the fortnightly dance held there, and occasionally attended by the girls. Neither went on this occasion.