DEATH OF BOY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 25 September 1924, Page 5

DEATH OF BOY.

CHARGE AGAINST BROTHER

A MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR,

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MELBOURNE, Sept. 24. The inquest was opened to-day concerning the. death of Archie Mount, aged 9$ years, whose mutilated body, was found in'a stream after his disappearance from his home at Springvale last month. The dead boy’s brother, Ivan Mouat, aged 14, is in custody charged with the murder. Miss Kerr, the boy’s aunt, told a remarkable story. She : said Archie’s body was found in water reaching just over her boots. She visited Ivan at the detention home and he told her that on the day of the tragedy he and Archie went for a walk. They got into conversation' with two men with a motor car, and Archie then went to bathe. One of the men said to Ivan: "Smell the scent I have invented.” The man then placed a handkerchief over the boy’s face. When Ivan be- : came conscious again he'felt water in his face, and the man told him to go home, which he did. Witness added that Ivan bore a good character and was truthful. She never knew the brothers to quarrel. The boy’s mother gave evidence that when Ivan came home he said he had left Archie at' the creek. He said nothing about a "stranger asking liim to smell the scent. He bore no signs of suffering from the effects of eloroforni and appeared quite normal. The Government pathologist gave evidence that Archie’s ears, nose and bronchial tubes were crammed with gritty mud. The lower part of the body was shockingly mutilated, \but there was no indication that lie had been struck with a stick. In witness’ opinion death was caused by suffocation by the boy being held down in the water. The mutilations were probably caused after death.

The police stated that Ivan, made two contradictory statements to' them. In her evidence Mrs Mouatt said Ivan attended church and Sunday school on -the day after the tragedy. Asked regarding his alleged confession to -the police, she said she did not believe he did it or had anything to do with it.

(Received Sept. 25, 10.55 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Sept. 25. At the conclusion 1 ’ of the Mouatt inquest, the Coroner committed Ivan Mouatt for trial on a charge of murdering; his: brother.—Aiis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' .