CURIOSITY AROUSED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16209, 6 December 1926, Page 7

CURIOSITY AROUSED

\ MOUAT CASE RECALLED ALLEGED THEFT OF DOCUMENTS f /Sr«caal to the Herald.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day.. An, advertisement which has. appeared in several issues' of the Star' has aroused a good deal of curiosity and interest in the city. It was as follows: " Lost—from home of F. P. Mouat, 10, Beckford road, St. Martins, Christchurch, oh of after February 24, i 925, a polished mahogany box,' 20in. long, llin. wide, 9in. deep, containing his marriage certificate, passport, testimonials, letters, mining map, cash book, etc, and also a number of books, some with his name on. Will anyone who has seen or knows anything about any of the above please write to Mrs. Mouat, 9, Que.en's Parade, Devonport, who will treat all information as confidential." Jlrs. Mouat is the wife of the eldest brother of F. P. Mouat, and lives at 9, Queen's Parade, Devonport, Auckland. F. P.'Mouat, formerly of 10, Beckford road, is at present serving a long sentence for manslaughter of his wife. Mrs. Mary Mouat states that she is engaged in the collection of evidence to prove that false statements were made against Mouat. She claims to have proof that " the African secrets," which so many people heard of, but which was not an clement in the case when it came up for trial, was an absolute fabrication.

One book which Mrs. Mouat says is missing is " The Early Pilots of Otago Harbor." It belongs to Mrs. Mouat, and was presented to her, as her lather was the first pilot. "What we want to prove," said Mrs. Mouat, " is that the house was entered after F. P. Mouat left it; and, if -possible, to recover his papers."