MISS HOWELL'S DEATH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13862, 27 March 1907, Page 5

MISS HOWELL'S DEATH

TRADES OF POISON DISCOVERED.

(Pep, United Press Association )

WELLINGTON, March 26. Tn connection with tho death of Mis l ! Howell at M.istovton some months ago and the subsequent inhumation of her body for ilio pmposcs of analysis, tho Police Department stales that the analysis discloses traces of zinc poisoning.

Miss Victoria Howell died in Hie Masterton district on January 23. The deceased, wno was tho second daughter of Captain Howell, of Fairhghl, Station, Lako Wakatipu, wa.s a native of Southland, and went to Wdiiarana about llnee and a-half jcais ago. In December last sho was conductmg a nurang home with Mi=s Hall in Masforton. end bceamo ill. It was supposed her illness was due to influenza, and later on her medical adviser was assured that it was the result of a growth in the stomach. Mies Howell was icmoved lo Casilr,wint, and was attended tluoughout tier illness bv Miss Hal!. After the burial of deceased her Jnother ascertained 'that eho had left a will in favour of Miss Hall, bequeathing personal estate (Ilie tolal value of 'which does not exceed £400), and as Iheio was an alsenco of any motive fm disiogardimr %'t other members of tho family, counsel for next of kin applied for tho exhumation of tho body for Iho puroosrs- of analysis. It is said that Miss Howell's brother mged that, the body s'miild bo exhumed, as ho had gicat difficulty to' obtain access to her bedroom when she was <lj mg. It -was nienlioned eomo weeks ago "that a caieful examination leveuled absolutely no haco of canceious giowth in the stomach or elsewhere. Portions of the body were then remoied for examination by "the Government analyst.