THE BYFLEET MURDER.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 1600, 31 May 1924, Page 4

THE BYFLEET MURDER.

POISON IN SALTS. ' M. VAUQUIEB'S STORY. The preliminary report from ihe Homo Office on the analysis' o ! t' the. bottle and glass sent with the organs of the body of Mr Alfred' Poynter ■ Jones, 'licensee of the' Blue Anchor Hotel, Byfleel, Surrey, who died on March 20 after, talcing a dose of salts, is now in the "hands of the anthopities at Woking, Surrey fsays (he London Daily Mail of recent date). It is understood that the report deals, exclusively'with the" glass; he drank from, a bottle of sails, and a small packet of crystals found at the hotel. • ■ . . Strychnine is said to be the poison. traces of which have been, found in the bottle, in tjie glass,'and in the crystals. Mr. Vnqnier gave newspaper, representatives ids account of. what. Happened on the morning Mr .lones died. He said he was one of a party of six .at. the hotel on the night before, but went, to bod at 10 o'clock. "I came down lo breakfast." said M. Vaquier. "and 1 noticed a number of unwashed glasses lying about. The servants had not .got breakfast, ready. go I sat'down and lit a-cigarette. I had my breakfast as soon as it was prepared, and soon after -Mr Johcfcame down-stairs. On.the other side of the fireplace were -two chairs,-one , of which i was silting in, and" the 1 if.her was occupied by Mrs Jones. "Mr Jones sat at a small table near v and proceeded to count his cash. ic trot up and mixed himself a dose if alts. He tasted it., fell back, and -creamed 'This is bitter!' "Someone else tasted the salts and ,-rced with him. and said, 'Yes. it is hitter. "Mr Jones commenced •to vomit, and the doctor was called. T have made, statements to the police, and heyond what the doctor said I know nothing more about turn." M. Vanu'ier added that be served luring the war in the French army, in ihe wireless section of the Field ' Telegraph Service.