A MASTERTON SENSATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3751, 14 February 1907, Page 3

A MASTERTON SENSATION.

Order for Exhumation Of a Body.

Masterton, Wednesday

The body of Miss Victoria Howell, who died in the Master ton district, on January 23rd, has been exhumed. The deceased, who was the second daughter of Captain Howell, of Fairlight station, Lake Wakatipu, was a native of Southland, and came to the Wairarapa about three and a-half years ago. In December last she was conducting a pursing home with Miss Hill in Masterton, and became ill, it was supposed, from influenza, and later on her medical adviser assured her that her illness was the result of a growth in the stomach. Miss Howell was removed to Castlepoint, and was attended throughout her illness by Miss Hill. After her burial, the deceased’s brother ascertained that the deceased had left a will in favor of Miss Hill, bequeathing her personal estate, the total value of which does not exceed As there was an absence of any motive for disregarding other members of the family in the will, counsel for the next of kin applied for the exhumation of the body for the purpose of analysis. Later.

It has been ascertained that a careful examination revealed absolutely no trace whatever of any cancerous growth, either in the stomach or other organs. Portions of the body were removed for analysis by the Government Analyst, at the Government laboratory in Wellington, the result of which will probably not be known before a fortnight. The Masterton “ Times ” says : At present the position appears to be that the late Miss Howell was interred on a burial certificate that did not correctly indicate the cause of her death. At this stage it would be wrong to assume that death was due to other than natural causes. There is absolutely, as yet, no evidence to the contrary.