£26,000 IN NOTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24104, 24 October 1941, Page 6

£26,000 IN NOTES

WIDOW'S HUGE HOARD DISCOVERY AFTER DEATH LARGE PROPERTY OWNER [BY TELEOBAPn —PKKSS ASSOCIATION"] WELLINGTON. Th ureday Breaking into the home of Mrs. Alice Merry, aged 83, widow, of Cambridge Terrace, the police found her dead in bed. She had not been noticed about the place since Sunday and neighbours informed the police. A search of the premises resulted in the police finding at least £26,000 in banknotes, believed to be part of belli fe savings. Mrs. Merry was the owner of many properties in Wellington, estimated to number more than 10, and she was frequently in the public eye some years ago because ot tho course of litigation between her and the Public Trustee, Mrs. Merry alleging that tho Public Trustee in administering tho estate of her husband had obtained insufficient rentals. More recently she appeared personally in the Magistrate's Court to conduct a tenancy case.

Mrs. Merry and her husband were in business in Courtenay Place, he as a bootmaker and sho, as a dressmaker. Mr. Merry died in 1024 and the only child, a son, about five years later. The only surviving relatives are three nieces, daughters of Mrs. Merry s brother. All are married and reside in Wellington.