A NEW PHASE IN THE SEVERED HAND CASE.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 5394, 14 January 1886, Page 4

A NEW PHASE IN THE SEVERED HAND CASE.

Wellington, January 13,

Some further evidence is reported to have been discovered relative to the severed hand. Detective Connor of Christchurch, with a photograph in his possession, is on a visit to Wairarapa, where Howard was for a time working. The photograph was seen by the son-in-law of a Mrs Rayner, who died and was buried about November 25th. He immediately asserted that he recognised the hand, and upon showing the photo. To the other relatives they were almost certain it was the picture of Mrs Rayner' s hand. She had suffered from erysipelas, and there was a scar on the thumb. An application was made to exhume the body, -but some difficulty cropped up, and it has not been done yet, being holiday time. The grave was losely filled in at first, and it is supposed that Howard had little difficulty in breaking open the side of the coffin. These particulars are given by the son-in-law of Mrs Rayner. Later. A telegram received from Masterton this evening states that the statement re the proposed exhumation of the body of Mrs Rayner is quite correct. It is said that the severed hand is in Masterton in charge of Detective Connor, who is up from Christchurch. All the facts are being kept secret by the police officers, as they want to capture the lpcal accomplice of Howard. It is expected that a further development of the case will be made t© -morrow, when full particulars will be published.