The Severed Hand Case.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1681, 10 April 1886, Page 2

The Severed Hand Case.

(UNITED P8T338 ASSOCIATION.) :■ . ; . ChriSTCHUBCH, Thnrsdaj. At trie Supreme Court this tnsraing the hearing of tlw charges of conspiracy jii connection with what has come to be known as the " severed hai.d case" was commenced. Arthur Robert Ramage Howard, Jane Ann Howard (alias Kennear), Frederick Godfrey, and Elieha Godfrey pleaded not guilty to three indictments charging them with conspiracy to defraud the Mutual Life Association of Australasia of £1000, the Accident Assurance Association of New Zealand of £400, and the New Zealand Government Life Insurance Association of £1000. Mr Harper, with htm Mr Mar- ' tin, appeared for the Crown, Mr Joynt appeared for Howard, Mr Stringer for J Mrs Howard, and Mr Holmes tor the two Godfreys. Mr Harper, m opening for the Crown, recapitulated the facts which have been already published m connection with the case. His Honor asked if the prosecution were m a position to show that the Godfreys were aware that Howard's life was insured m the Mutual Life Association. Mr Harper believed the prosecution would b« m a position to do so before the close of the case. He would prove that Mrs Howard had not been legally married. Mr Joynt intended, to contend aud prove that the marriage was perfectly good . Hi« Honor Mr Justice Johnston thought that wore the marriof o good, the chargo of conspiracy would possibly be gone. Mr Harper said that he thought the conspiracy might be gone, but the second count of attempting to defraud would remain against Howard. It was shown by the evidence that Howard had transferred all his life insurance policies to liia wife. When the Court adjourned at 5:30 p.m. the case was unfinished.