MERRETT SHOOTING

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 December 1926, Page 3

MERRETT SHOOTING

DOMINION ANTECEDENTS. • (Per Press Association.) NAPIER, December 5. The statement in a cablegram that Mrs. Merrett and her son came from a New Zealand station is erroneous. Some six years ago, Mrs Merrett came to New Zealand from Russia, where her husband was employed. She separated from him, and took up her residence at Havelock North. Later she went to live at Oamaru, sending her son to the Waitaki Boys’ High School. They later went to England, and the youth entered Edinburgh University to complete his education for diplomatic service. While resident in Hawke’s Bay, Mrs Merrett made many friends with whom she enjoyed great popularity. It is understood she was the inventor and patentee of the fireless cooker. FALL ON HEAD. DUNEDIN, December 4. The . young New Zealander, Merrett,. who is charged with the murder of his mother at London, is well-known in Dunedin and Oamaru. The accused came to the Dominion with h(s mother during the war, and resided some time at Oamaru, where he attended the Waitaki Boys’ High School. Previous to entering the school, he had a serious fall from a cycle, and, as a result was in the hospital with injuries to the head and nose. This prevented him from participating in most sports,, although he was an excellent swimmer. He was extremely popular among his class mates. The mother and son booked their passages to England through a Dunedin firm eighteen months ago. The mother was in the habit of carrying a revolver with her. The son was particularly venturesome. On one occasion he created a mild sensation by a foolhardy expedition in a motor boat.