The Mouat Case

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 140, 28 May 1928, Page 8

The Mouat Case

An Extraordinary Story Relatives' Belief in His Innocence Investigations on Prisoners Behalf (Special to “Tribune.”) Auckland, May 28. Nearly three years have passed since Frederick P. Mouat, of St. Martin’s, Christchurch, was sentenced to imprisonment for 17 years for the murder of his wife, a manslaughter. verdict in peculiar circumstances saving him from the gallows. Mouat’s relatives still believe in his declaration of innocence, reiterated from Mt. Eden gaol, where he is now serving his term of penal servitude, and thorough investigations are being made on his behalf. Ever since the trial and retrial of Mouat in 1925—after a disagreement of the jury on the major charge—one of his relatives, a woman now living in Auckland, has worked incessantly to establish facts in support of the contention that Nellie Mouat was not murdered by her husband, cut to pieces and burned with methodical thoroughness in various fires, which were known to have been lighted about his house, but that she disappeared of her own free will, and is still living. This belief is based upon circumstances, admittedly slender, and supported by the collection of data which have occupied great time and involved heavy expense. In most cases affidavits have been secured to substantiate what at first appeared to be fantastic theories, but in some respects the case is not complete. When it is, the intention of the relatives is to approach the highest authority in the land and solicit a review of the case Thus is comes about that, found guilty of manslaughter, and believed to have killed his wife, a man now serving a long sentence may yet succeed in establishing his innocenee. This is the subject of a story published in to-day’s “Sun.”

The relatives’ contention is outlined by “The Sun’’ as it is advanced by the relatives themselves, and is committed to the judgment of readers without qualification as to the merits either of the defence or of the case for the Crown. SEEN ON A TRAIN. The theory that Mrs Mouat is still alive is based upon a series of reports which have been gathered and collated recalling the major details of the incident and is consequences. Evidence was in the hands of the defence, al though not used at the .trial, that an insurance agent in Christchurch, who knew Mr Mouat personally, spoke to her as she sat ;n train some days after she was supposed to have been murdered. Two signed statements upon this aspect

are held. Another circumstance is the statement of an Auckland man that he saw Mrs Mouat in Albert Park. Auckland, in July, 1025—after the first trial, but before the final trial of her husband.

It is apparent—and it must be revealed if the case is to beviewed — that there was much trouble in the Mouat household because of the friendship of Mrs Mouat with oher men—both in England and New Zealand—while the suggestion is made that Mrs Mouat was known to have accumulated a large sum of money in notes. Mouat frequently complained of his wife’s extravagance with money derived from the hotel which the couple conducted at Glenavy. Investigations have been made by brokers and auditors into the accounts of the hotel business in this connection.

A story was circulated that Mouat stated to his brother-in-law, J. B. Merrit, that he could emulate the natives of Africa and burn a body in four hours, leaving no trace. Mouat denied this at the time, and now a statement is produced from the Governior of Ashanti province, where Mouat worked, to the effect that, the natives in no circumstances burn the bodies of the dead, but bury them with solemnity and state. MISSING GARMENTS. A big point is made of Mrs Mouat’s teeth. It is established by affidavits from England that two sets of teeth were made by a certain dentist there. One set was made for her in New Zealand. The existence of only two sets were proved at the trial. The relatives say the third set is still being worn by Mrs Mouat herself. Details of the class of teeth and the incidents surrounding their identification are produced. Several articles of clothing, as well as a small box and some papers are stated to be missing. A green velour coat which Mrs Mouat was known to possess, a hat which friends identify as of different construction from the remains found under the copper, a brown costume, brown silk stockings and brown shoes, as well as two nightdresses, are named as being definitely missing. The polished wooden box, which Mouat brought from Africa contained Mouat’s papers and a pistol. Neither the box nor the pistol have been found. BONES USED IN EVIDENCE. One of the most convincing pieces of evidence against Mouat was the presence of small pieces of human bones among the fires in the yard and in the house. The investigators for Mouat now place reliance on the reported discovery of parts of human sekeltons on the sections adjoining, which were (so it is suggested) used as a dump for rubbish including specimens used by medical students. Of the 172 bones found, 10 were positively classed as human, five as probably human, and eight as doubtful whether human or animal. Of the 32 bones found under the copper fire none was classed as human. In one of the fires in the backyard 22 bones were found, only one of which was human. Evidence is brought to show that there was nothing suspicious about the fires, and that Mouat was candid and open in his movements at the time of the disappearance of hi s wife, who had threatened on occasions to leave him. Statements are produced also respectimr the stained sheets found in the house, and the part which Merrit. Mrs Mouat’s brother played in the discovery of them. Proof is said co be in existence that the sheets concerned were never on the bed of Mrs Mouat, but on that of a barniatilodger who committed suicide on the second anniversary of the disappearance of Mrs Mouat. This, necessarily, is a cursory view of the' relatives’ attempt to establish the innocence of Mouat but it gives an outline of. the theoi ies, every one of which is supported by documents secured from various parts of the world. These statements have occupied over two years in collection, lection. The Governor-General will prob-

ably be approached when the remaining links in the chain of the defence have been prepared. The Howard Penal Reform League will not take the case up until half the sentence has been served.