THE MOUAT MYSTERY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2861, 21 March 1925, Page 3

THE MOUAT MYSTERY.

ACCUSED BE CORE COURT. Christchurch, March 19. .The Magistrate’s Court was crowded this morning, when Frederick Peter Mouat appeared on remand charged with the murder of ins wife, Nellie Mouat, on or about tlie 20th of February. John B. Merrelt, brother-in-law of the accused, and who is leaving New Zealand shortly, gave evidence as to the married life of the Mounts. Mrs Mouat was bis sister and had married Mouat in the year 1910, in England. Later they came to New Zealand, then went to South Africa, returning to New Zealand in 1920 or 1921. Mouat was licensee of the Glenavy Hotel for about a year. Witness visited the Mounts in Glenavy, and they appeared to be happy and doing well. Leaving the hotel they came to Christchurch. Witness last saw bis sister on Sunday evening, February 15th, when slie was at liis house. She appeared quite happy. Witness, continuing, said that at Templeton in February he questioned Mouat about ids wife’s disappearance. Accused said be had no idea where site had gone, though he had been instructed by her that she would like to go to Purakanui, and she asked him to bring some clothes down. Mouat said he bad not been able to find bis wife at Purakanui or Camara, so lie left the clothes with bis mother. Witness asked Mount why a sheet and blanket had I,ten washed at Beckford St. on the morning of the disapaeprance. Mount declared that his wife washed them. Mouat admitted that he was in financial trouble. Witness said Mouat denied there had been any quarrel or that he had struck his wife accidentally.

Mr Donnelly, Crown Prosecutor, intimated after Mouat had been remanded for another week, that the case could not be gone on with then as there were scientific investigations to be made. Accused was remanded.