A RIGHT HAND MINUS A THUMB.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5508, 5 January 1886, Page 3

A RIGHT HAND MINUS A THUMB.

A WIG AND A DYED MOUSTACHE. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Jan. 4. The mysterious hand affair, which has caused some sensation in Christchurch, has been solved by the arrest at Petone, a suburb of Wellington, of Howard, who was supposed to have been drowned near Sumner. It appears that the large reward offered had put the police here on the gui vive, and this afternoon Constable Harnett, who is stationed at the Hutt, made several enquiries respecting a man named Watson, who had been working at Petone. Following up the enquiries, Harnett became assured that he had baggedj his bird, and about four o'clock he arrested John Watson as being the man Howard from Christchurch. The identity was not denied, and by the 6 o'clock train this evening Constable Harnett "Drought the p.i--___ to ..-■_■. Watson, or, rather, Howard, had been working for one day at the woollen factory at Petone, and he had to knock off in consequence of an injured arm. He had been living in private lodgings. Tomorrow he will appear before the Resident Magistrate. From Harnett's account it appears that on New Year's Day Watson (Howard) was at the Young Men's Christian Association picnic, and Harnett, from that time, wa3 on his trail. Gradually he connected the links, and finally he found a storekeeper at Petone who remembered a customer somewhat resembling a foreigner and minus the thumb on the right hand. This exactly tallied with the description of Howard, and, waiting his chance, the constable accosted accused, who had his hands in his pockets. On being asked ta take them out he willingly complied, and Harnett arrested him. Howard was wearing a wig, and had his moustache died.