THE MOUAT CASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1925, Page 4

THE MOUAT CASE.

COADUTTED FOR- TRIAL,

CHRISTCHURCH, April 20

Statements made by Frederick Peter Alouat to detectives on the day of his arrest and on the night- before his disappearance from the Rotherfield Hotel were handed in by detective officers bcl'or the conclusion of the Magisterial proceedings on Saturday morning. The case lasted two and a half days.

Mouat, who was charged with having murdered his wife, Ellen Louis (Nellie) Mouat, at St. Martins, on or about February ‘2O, 1925, was committed for trial at the next session of the Supreme Court at Christchurch. AY hen asked if he had anything to say, Mouat replied in a clear and distinct voice: “Nothing to sav, your Worship.” There was again a large attendance of the public. .AH' Wyrcrn AA’ilson, S.AL, was on the Roach. Air Donnelly, Crown Prosecutor, •■onducted the ease for the police. Mr Thomas, with him Air Sim, appeared for Mouat. SEARCH OF MOUAT’S HOUSE. Detective-Sergeant D. Connolly, stationed at Christchurch, said that at about 11 a. 111. oil February 28, in com--panv with Detective Riekordikc and Afr .). R. Alerrett, a- brother-in-law of the accused, he went to Mount's house at No 10, Rockford Road, St. Martins. On arrival there Detective Bickerdike and witness tailed to .investigate and searched each room carefully. They found in the front bedroom two woollen blankets on a double bed. The blankets contained two large stains and they appeared to have been recently washed. On making a further examination they found in the dining room a very greasy substance at the back of the fire-grate. They also found under the copper in the wasTiliousc a quantity of hones and also a frame of a lady’s hat (produced). "Witness and Detective Bickerdike liftorwall'll- lino a look over tlie section. They went to a heap where there had been a fire and made a scorch there. They took possession of the bones, blankets, a sheet, and the frame of the hat, and took them away with them. On Aiareh 2 witness went to the Templeton railway station in company with Air Alerrett. Afouat arrived in the train as they reached there. Air Alerrett called Alouat out and witness accompanied them to the Detective Office where he was interviewed by Chiei Detective Gibson. After bringing the accused to the police station witness went to Friedlander’s pawn shop in Alaiiehoster Street and discovered a receipt from him for a gold wristlet watch, a liroocli and a tic-pin. On Aiareh -I witness was present at Alouat's house with Acting-Detective Kuudsen and Constable Phillips. I he\ took possession of two boxes. Dn the evening of the same day on searching tlie accused’s hag which he had lelt at the police station witness loiiml a pail of Indy's bracelets. On Alaivli 20 witness was fire.se lit- when live sacks of debris were shifted from Alouat’s section. Some hones were- found whole the debris was shifted, lie was also present- on .March 21 and 20, when digging and turning over of the ground was taking place. Hones were also found on that date, and they were token Pl'issession ol by Detective Thompson.

Witness took possession of two saws, tomahawk, two knives and a bayou- 1 also a chisel which lie found in Alouat's licilrooin. (The articles mentioned were produced and Air Thomas examined , them). Mr Thomas: Do you know which hones were found under the Clipper ? Witness: 1 think I could identify them. They were not human bones? - I believe one of the first hone; was identified as a human hone. DETECTIVE’S SEARCH. Detective James Rickerdike, stationed at t 111 isp'lmi ell. said that oil Fe 1 -- I 11,1 \ :'l ill 1.. 11111: 1 1 1 V Ullll I 1•■ Ie < 1)0*’ Sergeant ( •nnnlly and Air Merri ll lie went to Alouat's In use at Reek lord Road. From oil’ the lied 'in the front bedroom they took two blankets v. hieli had .'large brown stains in them and which appeared to he blood staines. They also " bore signs ol having recently been washed, .front the cupboard in the dining mom they took a while sheet which also appeared to have been washed. There wore four pillows on the bed, one ol which was minus a pillowslip. In the (ire place in the (lining room there, was a large, greasy sidotame very noticeable. There were also some small pieces of burnt grass about the fireplace: other than this the grate was very clean. On the bed in the back bedroom there were two blankets, a counterpane, and a Kaiapoi rug; they were all quite clean. In the fireplace under the copper, lie found a .small piece of hone, also n wire frame which appeared to have belonged to a hat. The wire frame had been pushed right underneath the copper. There was a fair amount of burnt rubbish in the fireplace and underneath the fireplace. In the. back garden there were two places which shew ed signs oi having been dug recently, especially one which was near the lavatory. There was also a fair amoue of burnt rubbish on this place. Further down the garden there had been another and larger fire; it appeared to have been of recent date ns when stirred fine white dust rose. On April 5 witness received from Constable Rushbaek the hag produced. On ATareh Oth.. witness was present at Alouat’s place when a quantity of holies was found in tlie larger of the two (ires. Detective Thompson was present, and all hones were handed to him.

iO un Jimvn witness was leit i charge of Afouat at the finger-print < (ice, Polite Station. Chri.stchun h. 7f risked to ho allowed to make a state 1110111. STATKMEXT WHKX ARRESTED, r The following is the statement made a Ivy A lon at to Detective Biekerdike oii j Alareli 9. the day of lii.s arrest: On the evening of February If), 1925 t my wife, Air Mooney and myself wort ’ at Alr.s Prossers. Heeney left early | and my wife, and I remained till IO.Mt or II p.m. On arrival at our house. 1 hold her in the bedroom that the 1 ehornio -she gave to Air. Warlow for ’ rent Would not he passed as Mr Snmp--1 tor, of Oaniaru. who was eolleeting my , outstanding account.s. had not paid any money or sent a ehe<|ue. She said: “Where is all the money? ' A'ou have squandered too much and now we ar*> down. Why did you not tell mo before.” I said I didn’t care to do so. At this time wo were both in hod. She asked me where I had squandered all the money. I told her it had gone in travelling about, also she herself had spent a good deal in Christchurch. "Wellington, Palmerston N'orth and Feilding when she was away. After this I said: “Well, we will have to make a fresh start. You and I can see Air Warlow and arrange with him.” AVe then said good-night- and wont to sleep. I arose at 0.20 a.m. on the following day. made a pot of tea and took her in a cup. I drank my cup and went- out and dug up a half kerosene tin of potatoes and started to burn r.ome grass and clear away grass with a spade along the fence from the back window. Xell. my wife, called me in for breakfast, bacon and eggs and toast. After breakfast I went hack again cutting the grass. It didn’t seem long before she was ready to go out to meet Airs Hardy at 10. to a.m. She would lie J.. -i O ir - ... D » ... T 1 _ : ,3

-.H her good-bye and she said: “If I don’t return, bring my bag along to the station and my old clothes for Purakanui.

Before she departed. I said to her: “You look like Polly.” “Why?” she said. “Because you have feathers in your Tint,” I replied. On going down the path I heard her say: “I had a good mind to do away with myself.” I went on cutting grass and digging. At about 8.20 a. 111.. she asked me to give her a hand with a blanket and counterpane, also two handkerchiefs, and I did so. They were off the back bed. She didn't- wash any sheets and hang them on the lino. She put them over the line and I put the pegs in. After her going down the path is the last time I saw her. She had a blue costume, brown shoes and stockings close-fitting hat with feathers, and a blue woollen coat, on her arm, four solid bangles, wedding ring and keeper, and a gold umbrella, brooch and a

purse bag, brown pi cLlour. Thet 1 , were red and blue feathers in the hat. I worked till 12 p.m. and had lunch with All's ITosser and daughter, and then worked 011 til! 2.J0 or 2.10 p.m. I came to town, walked about lor a while and went to the Rotherfield at .5.15 p.m., or somewhere about that time, and stayed there that night. On February 20. 1925, 1 pawned a tie pin. wristlet watch, and gold brooch as I bad no money, in a shop in Manchester Street.

Saturday morning I went home early at 5.J0 a.m., bad some breakfast and started to clean up the back yard and burn the dried grass. At 2.30 p.m. I made a fire in the dining room to beat the water for a hath. Airs Low's little girl came in. I had just emptied the grate and put some disinfectant about the pan as I started the fire with dried grass and a few .sticks, and it had caused a stem'll in the house. I had a hath before the little girl came ill. The statement then detailed Alouat’s movements up to Aiareh 1. similarly to that in the statement made at Gleniivy. The statement proceeded:

On Alaivli 1 l was interviewed by the police at- Glenavy ami next M"lidav I was interviewed at the ( liristchureh Detective Office by Chiei Detective Gibson. In my statement I said I would call the following morn-

ing at 9 a.in. to see him. I stayed at the RothclTield Hotel that night. I got up at tj a.in. lelt tile hotel and went to iny homo at 10 Beck ford Road. 1 tried to get into the house and found the door was fast. I started walking around Opawn. licathoolc River, St. -Martins lookup far my wife and could find 110 trace her. The reason 1 did not keep the up, ointment with Chief Detective Gibson was that I thought it did not limiter as he gave me in uinLoslaml not to leave (’hrisLehineii.

Since then I have tramped on the Cashmere, llcaih'ole and Lyttelton hills. On two occasions I have slept on my verandah at 111 Hecklord Hoad. .Just before 1911 while in Christchurch

my wife was staying with her parents. She had been nursing her mother lor Mime time. She cleared out from home and lived with a man named Charlie Rlackmore. 1 was ret in'ni ng, from Africa at the time. I asked Detective Rickerdike to be allowed to make this statement, and the statement is true. Detective Rickerdike. a, nitinning said that while making the statement. Mouat left oil' writing, sat hack in the chair, and asked witness if they lmd found anv trace ol his wile. Witness said they had not, as far as he knew .Mount said. “I have no recollection of her coining hack to the house alter she lift Unit morning.’’ Air Donnelly : How long did it lake him l i write the statement ?- Just over two hours. On Alaivli 11. Detective Riekerdiko continued, lie found in a shelf under a clipboard at Alouat’s place a,bottle con-

turning J eyes’ fluid. On Alaivli Jo li was present at Alouat's place whei Yorath (pliunlieri took tlie lead pip leading from the Imtli. Witness wa pre-cut at Diek-erten's place v-bei A'i ■.- I!I ■ 111 I lie pipe u|-'U. ANOTHER SI'ATEAI ENT. Chief-Defective T. Gibson said ilia on March 2nd. last, the arcus .1 Aloua was brought to witness's tdiice by De ti'etive-S.'i'gcaut Cnuiinlly and Al Alerrett. Witness questioned Alima as tu l In' disappearance ol his wile Detective Thompson taking down Hi answers on a typewriter. He siguei the answers and witness produced Hi st a lenient. 'Pile first portion of the slat emeu wmi worded similarly to that made h, Alouat at Glenavy on the previnti day. It proceeded: "I went to the second expess oi Saturday, February 21st. I could no see my wife there. I did not wai till Ha' express went out. I wnitei two or three minutes lielore the Iran went out am! riieii lelt the station, diil mil buy any tickets in ease slu did not turn up. I had the money H liny the tickets. I then went hurl home. I waited up till the last mn lnenl. 1 did not leave until it wa: to.' late to gel the tickets and cate! the train. 1 thought slu 1 might liavt gone to Little River or the Sclwyn.,] did not mean that she might haw gone to Little River or the Sclwyn. I meant she might be at her lii'otlierT place at I’apanui, Mr Alerrett.” The statements then detailei Alouat's movements up till the Ainu•lay. 11 proceeded. “When my wife left home she wa: wearing four plain gold bangles, twi rings, a wedding ring and a ring will red stones, also an ordinary p-ii brooch. t sold her gold nuggei brooch, also tier gold wristlet watch. 1 sold nothing else. Aly wife disappeared on Friday: I sold these things oi the following Monday. I sold them L get the money to go down south. ] also pawned a tie pin at the same time, these are the articles shown If me. T got- £2 lOx for the lot. I lob tcil’o I li<v rl-tx' etp) r 1 Icsi tvi ton 1 tlinl

1.1 lmd no money 111 the nanu. 1 to n , her in the afternoon. If was after 11 1 wife, bad given Hie cheque to the lan (? lady that, I told her I had no money the hank. That wa.s after 1 return! from Prosser’s on the Thursday nigh I AY lion T told her there was no mom 1 in the hank my wife asked me wlmt: 5 had done with it all. f did not kuo " what to say to her. 1 “I have not been at work since ll ■ Saturday before my wife disappearei , The only reason I can give tlmi I ha\ ' not been at work is tlmi I have kep putting off noi going to Dunedin I see my mother. I The statements then dealt wit Alouat's move ills liefoiv going soul and while in I lie south. Il proceeded I “I diil not sleep 111 my house aftc lily wile disappeared. Wind I said In fore is 1 iirrccl . 1 slaved four night at the Rot herlield Hotel. The roasnl I stayed al (he Rut herlield Hotel wa (lull I thought if my wife rettirnei she would ring Jim lleeney up and h would let me know where site was. was anxious about my wile right. Iron the Friday she disappeared, I wouh sav that my wife took the key ot tin house with her. She took her purs* with her. She had a key besides me I went back to my bouse early on tin Saturday morning. No one had beet home. Aly wife could have got in. A . key of the house is left near the back door. “When inv wife left home on the Friday she lia<l a cheque for £lO with her. T wrote out this cheque but J knew there were no funds at the bank ito meet ir. My wife was to pay the cheque to J. R. Alerrett. \Ve owed him £lO. I did not have a row with my wife before she left on the Friday aiid T have no idea where she is to be found. “I have read this statement over and it is true in every particular.”

ACCUSED DISAPPEARS. -Mount was kept at the detective office. lie lmd his tea at the police stnion and witness returned to the office about 7 p.in. Merrett was then speaking to him. Witness told Mount ho could go. Merrett asked him if he had any money and Mount said he had not. Merrett said he would pay for his hoard at the I’otherfield Motel. Witness asked Mount to return at 8.-15 a.m. so that he could assist to trace Mrs Mount. He did not turn up. Witness next saw Mount on March Oth. at the St Martin's brick kiln. He was then with Detective Katlie and Constable Lnugeson. He was brought to the police station in a motor car. While sitting with him witness said: “You look in a bail way, Mr Mouat.” He had apples and tomatoes in pockets One of the apples was partly eaten.

Mouat said: “Yes, 1 have boon wandering about the hills for a week looking behind every hush and rock for her.” Witness said: “What, do you think she is demit”

Accused said: “Well when she was leaving me that morning 1 heard her say she had a good mind to do away with herself.”

When they reached the police station witness said: “I will write down what you said about your wife.” Accused replied: “I would much rather do it myself.”

Mouat was given pen and paper and lie commenced to write a statement. Witness, then left him in charge of Detective Hickcrdike. It was over two hours before the .statement, was finished.

Witness said that on March lth. lie examined the whole of Mount's premises and section. He gave particulars of the places indicated in the plan, whore the heaps oi ashes were found and where the digging took place. When examining the house the pillow produced was on the front bed without a cover, but in the wash-house there was a pillow cover which had been recently washed and was quite damp. It was hanging on the edge ot the wash-tubs. Wit lies- produced a tooth which be had found on March lth. lying neat 1 lie liaiindarv fence between Mount's section ami Beere’.s section. It was Ivinjr oil top of the ground "hole grass lintl been chipped oil’. There were »» human found under the copper. lie went through all the clothing in the house. The dress sworn to as havj llcr been worn by Mrs Mouat, on the night of February l!)tli. was in a linen hag in the wash-house with a quantity of women’s underclothing. There was only one pair of corsets in the house. The lid of the box with Mr Holmes’s name on it was on the mantle.ms e m the front room, apparently used as a lumber room, with nothing in it except hoses. When witness read to Mouat Die warrant for his arrest Mouat made no answer. Mouat had been charged proviouslv bv Detective Ernie. The' depth of the*, soil turned over was in no place more than a foot from the surface. This concluded the evidence. Mouat. who was seated in the duck rose while the charge was being read. “Nothing to say, your Worship” he replied in'answer to the charge. Accused was committed for trial at, Die next sitting of the Supreme Court on May 12th.