Another of the Victims Dead.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 34, 10 February 1892, Page 5

Another of the Victims Dead.

Inquest on Three Bodies.

A Pitiful Story.

Verdict of Wilful Murder.

Br Telegraph. — Special to the Star.)

Taukanga, this day.

The inquest opened at 10 o'clock this morning before MrA.C.Tovey,coroner,and ajury composed of Messrs Maxwell (foreman), Asher, McDowell, Fraser, Clarke, and Smith, on the bodies of George, John and Lilian Monro.

James Mcßoberbs,BWorn,deposed : I "fras on my usual round with milk and called at Duncan Munro's house. My daughte l went to the door, bub could make no one hear. A little boy named Harknesa cam 6 up, and I heard him tell hie mother that Duncan Munro was on the beach in his shirt. The door of Munro's hous e was ajar, and I said to Mrs Harkness that something must be wrong. I went into the house and saw a little boy lying in the kibchen doorway in a pool of blood, and on passing through the front room saw in the bedroom another boy in a cob naked with the bedclothes smeared with blood. In the kitchen was Mrs Munro lying on her back as though laid out with care, partially dressed and the upper part of her body covered with blood. She did not ap. pear to be breathing, but the boy in the doorway had that appearance, lsent word to the police and called Dr. Bullen. On returnjng with the doctor I aaw the other two children in bed, also smeared with blood and wounded in the head as the others were. Prior to entering the house, I went to the top of the cliff and saw Munro in his shirt walking along the beach towards the Sulphur Works. I think the assault must have taken place a few minutes before I arrived. The back door was locked and the key gone. Dr. Bullen, physician and surgeon,sworn, said that he was called yesterday morning to the house of Duncan Munro, and found George Munro, six years old ; John, five ; Alexander, three; Lilian, 9 months ; all lying in blood with their sculls fractured. On going into the kitchen he found Mrs Munro on the floor in a pool of blood, with her skull frightfully smashed and the brain protruding. The injury evidently was caused wifih a blunt instrument. Since then John, George and Lilian have died. Mrs Munro and Aloxander are in a very precarioue state and unconscious. He removed some pieces of bone from Mrs Munro's head, and there are other injuries about the face and bands. Probably the injuries were committed with the flat iron and rolling pin produced. Dr. Bullen in reply to a question said that for some time past he had considered Munro dangerous and insane, and he frequently suffered from religious mania. A few days ago Mrs Munro called on him and showed him bruises caused by her husband, and stated she was In fear of her life and the lives of her children; Hβ reported this to Mrs Bodell (Munro's mother) and Peter Munro, his brother, and said he would do come mischief if not properly looked after. He also reported to the police. Portions of the fractured skull were produced, and also the ehirb splashed with blood, that Munro had on when arrested. At this stage Munro took a fit, and caused a great sensation by singing hymns, etc., and had to be taken out of the Court. Mr Moss, solicitor, here asked leave to appear for the prisoner. Peter Munro, sworn, stated: I am the brother of accused, and was informed yesterday morning that Duncan had murdered his wife and children. I went to the house and found the victims in a precarious condition. I saw a neighbour and asked her to hold the key of the house while I went for assistance. I knew my brother took fits and would be irresponsible for his actions unless he gob sleep. Dr. Bullen told me some six months ago that my brother was not fit to be alone, and that unlees he was watched he would do some mischief. I did not take it to mean he would do others injury, but to himself. I last saw the children on Sunday, and took Duncan home on Monday night from his mother's. I thought him sane then. I heard some time ago that he attempted to offer up his child as a sacrifice but could not get it proved. Mrs D. Munro locked the door when Duncan went to bed. Duncan had been discharged from the Lunatic Asylum about two years ago as cured. The police notified me two months ago that Duncan was nob properly looked after, and unless he was they would have to take charge of him. I had objected to the manner in which he was sent to the Asylum, as I never knew on what authority he was sent there. In reply to questions Peter Munro said on Monday night he was put to bed in a little room at tbe back of the house, and if his wife had been frightened of him she ■would have locked the middle door as he heard she had done on former occasions. Hβ added : 1 deny that Dr. Bullen warned me last week as he stated in his evidence.

Constable Whelan deposed that after going to the house be proceeded to look for jMunro, and found him on the Strand, where be was arrested. Hβ had only a nightshirt on, which was spattered ■with blood. Hβ went quietly to the lockup. At 11 a.m. he went to the lockup with Dr. Bullen, and found .Munro singing. He said he had been told by Almighty God to kill his wife and children. In reply to a question witness said he did nob think prisoner was sufficiently affected in the brain to take life. Sergeant Kiely deposed that nine months ago Dr. Bullen had told him that he was attending Mrs Munro in her confinement, and asked how Duncan was. The doctor said all right. He asked Mrs M unro if ahe considered him dangerous, and she said ehe was nob afraid of him, but that having a baby to look after she would require assistance. He told the family that unless Duncan was looked after the police would have to arrest him. Ho had heard nothing of his beating his wife as given in Dr. Bullen's evidence. The evidence was concluded at 12.20 p.m., when after about 20 minutes' retirement a verdict of wilful murder was returned against Duncan Munro, with the rider that he ehould never have been leb out of the Asylum and had nob been properly looked After by his family.