£26,000 IN NOTES IN HOUSE

Southland Times, Issue 24574, 24 October 1941, Page 6

£26,000 IN NOTES IN HOUSE

WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN BED OWNER OF MORE THAN 40 PROPERTIES (P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 23. Breaking into the home of Mrs Alice Merry, aged 83, a widow, of 72 Kent Terrace, yesterday the police found her dead in bed. There was £26,000 in notes in the house. She had not been noticed about the place since Sunday and the neighbours informed the police. Mrs Merry was the owner of many properties in Wellington, estimated to number more than 40, and she was frequently in the public eye some years ago because of the course of litigation, between her and the Public Trustee, Mrs Merry alleging that the Public Trustee in administering the estate of her husband had obtained insufficient rentals. More recently she appeared personally in the Magistrate’s Court to conduct a tenancy case. A search of the premises resulted in the police finding at least £26,000 in banknotes, believed to be part of her life savings. She and her husband were in business in Courtenay Place, he as a bootmaker and she as a dressmaker. Mr Merry died in 1924 and the only child, a son, about five years later. The only surviving relations are three nieces, daughters of Mrs Merry’s brothers, and all are married and living in Wellington.