THE MYSTERY OF THE SEVERED HAND.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3524, 14 January 1886, Page 3

THE MYSTERY OF THE SEVERED HAND.

(By TEi-EORArH.) Wellington, Jan. 13. Some further ovidonco is reported to have been discovered relative to the severed hand. Detective O'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 a son-in-law of a Mrs Rayner, who died and | was buried about November 25th. He immediately asserted he recognised tho hand, and upon showing the photo, to other relatives they wero almost certain it was a picture of Sirs Rayner's hand. She had suffered from erysipelas and there was a scar on the thumb. Application was made to exhume tho body, but some difficulty cropped up, and it has not been done yet, being holiday time. Tho grave was loosely filled in at first, and it is supposed Howard had little difficulty in breaking open the sido of the coffin. These particulars are given by tho son-in-law of Mrs Rayner. It is said thut the severed hand is in charge of Detective O'Connor, who ia up from Christchurch. All facts are being kept secret by the police officers as they want to capture a locol accomplice of Howard's. It is expected a further development of the case will be made to-morrow, when full particulars will be published.