MURDER CHARGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24776, 28 November 1941, Page 4

MURDER CHARGE

PALMERSTON NORTH TRAGEDY DECEASED WOMAN'S BROTHER REMANDED (P.A.) PALMERSTON N., Nov. 27. Arising from the tragedy in Park road on Tuesday night, Ronald Herbert Mellar, aged 24, a surfaceman, married, of Palmerston Northland a brother of the dead woman, was charged before justices of the peace with murdering Mrs Ida Gwen Speight. Detective Sergeant Meiklejohn asked that the accused be remanded to appear at Wellington on December 4. He said that a number of inquiries had yet to be made by the police. It was anticipated that on December 4 a further week's remand would be sought, and at the end of that time the case would be proceeded with. Representing the accused, Mr L. G. H. Sinclair agreed to, the remand, which was granted.: Shortly after 9 o'clock on Tuesday night, Mrs Speight, aged .about 35, was found • with fatal head injuries in her home. While sitting in his kitchenette studying a road map, a neighbour (Mr E. R. Harris) heard screams, which immediately gave cause for alarm. Mr Harris next heard further screams, the sound of blows, and other, sounds as of something being torn. He called to Mr V. D. Christensen, another neighbour, who summoned the police by telephone. Constable J. Gunn arrived, and while ha was at the front door, of Speight's house a man rode a bicycle hurriedly down the drive and out on to the road.