SEVERED FOOT DISCOVERY

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22727, 3 June 1939, Page 7

SEVERED FOOT DISCOVERY

♦ INQUIRIES BY NAPIER DETECTIVES (PRESS ASSOCIATION fKI.Bfi RAM.) HASTINGS, June 2. Indicating the exhaustive nature of the investigations by the Napier Detective Office in an endeavour to find some clue to the mystery of the discovery of a severed foot, at, Westshovo early this week, it was definitely established to-day that repairs to the boot found on ■ the foot were not done in Napier, It is learned that the make of rubber half-sole used is not available in the district. It was stated by Detective-Sergeant H. Nuttall to-night that the sock covering the foot was a cut-down woman's stocking. As far as it was possible to judge the foot was that of- a male, although it was not improbable that a period in water would swell a large woman’s foot to fit a size eight or size nine man’s boot. It is stated that there are certain features which might suggest that the foot was torn from the log by the propeller on a large ship. This is one of the theories to which the police may give attention, A systematic check-up is being made cl all known vagrants in the province, and reports of missing persons from other centres might give the police their lead. One person has already inquired at the Napier Police Station for permission to inspect the boot, but was unable to identify it or give the police any useful information, The object has in the meantime been placed in a special preparation for preservation.