SHOCKING CRIME

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 August 1924, Page 5

SHOCKING CRIME

MURDER OF A BOY.

MAN IN MOTOR CAE. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT (Received Aug. 26, 10.45 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Aug. 26. Mutilated in a shocking manner, the body of Archie Mouat, aged nine and a half years, who disappeared at Springvale on Saturday, was found by his mother, who had assisted in the search for the boy. In company witli his brother Ivan, Archie set out to gather gum leaves in the Springvale Cemetery. After proceeding some distance Archie. said he felt tired and would w r ait till his brother returned with the leaves. While the boy was talking a motor car drew up and a man alighted and spoke to the boys. Ivan walked on and when, after he had covered a hundred yards, lie turnround and saw Archie conversing with the man, but thought nothing of this at the time.’ When he returned in less than ten minutes Archie, the motor car, the stranger and all had disappeared. Several hours later, when Archie failed to appear, Ivan told his mother of the occurrence. She reported to the police, and the body was found in'Dandenong Creek in about a foot of water. There were several bruises on tlie legs and head, and the body u r as completely unclothed. The mother is the widow of a member of the A.I.F. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.