MURDER CHARGE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19928, 15 May 1930, Page 9

MURDER CHARGE.

TRIAL OP A, T. MUNN. EVIDENCE BY NEIGHBOURS. ITE»S9 A.SSOCUTIO* TEUOBIU.) AUCKLAND, May 14. The trial of Arthur Thomas Munn, who is charged with murdering his wife, entered the third day to-day. Mrs Georgina Stuck, who became accused's housekeeper after his wife's death, was cross-examined by Mr Northcroft for the defence. 'She said that her daughter was present during most of her association with Munn. There was no attempt at love-making on her part. They talked of politics and things in general. The basis of their relationship was friendship. Munn kissed her good-night once after he had asked her to marry him. When she was in Christchurch and asked Munn for a loan of £5. she offered him security. Without the loan she could not have returned to Auckland. Munn did not know when she would return. When he asked her to become his housekeeper he told her about the attitude that his wife's relatives were taking up. Mrs Gill, who lived in a flat under the Munn's place, said that the day before Mrs Munn died she saw her doing some washing. She appeared to be bright and cheerful. About 7 o'clock the next morning Mrs Munn told witness that she had been at the pictures the night before. She said that she had a headache, and went inside. About ten. minutes later Munn's little girl came and asked witness to go upstairs. She found Mrs Munn sitting in a chair lin the kitchen. Her head was thrown back, she was gripping the chair with her hands, and her legs were stretched

out, She seemed to be stiff, and at timeß her legs twitched. She could speak but indistinctly. She asked witness what was the matter with her. When witness tried to give her water she cried, "Don't touch me." Later Munn came in, saying that he had been for a doctor. Munn said that he did not know what was wrong., Mrs Gil] added that about -three or four o'clock in the same afternoon she again saw Mrs Munn, who was collected and cool, and seemed comfortable. Two days later witness saw her still in bed. She was all nerves. On the Friday evening witness visited her and was surprised to see a change for the worse. Mrs Munn said: "Don't worry me. I'm ill." Witness did not see her on Saturday or Sunday, but at two o'clock on Sunday morning sho hoard her crying and moaning. The cries were similar to thoso on the day she took ill. They continued till Munn came down two hours later to- ask witness to go for a doctor. Munn said that his wife had got out of bed and he could not get her back, and she could hot get her breath very well. Mrs' Gill, after being cross-examined by Mr Northcroft, was questioned by the Judge and re-examined by Mr Meredith, fainted, and was carried from the Court room by a doctor and Court officials. Mrs Mary Jane Brown, a neighbour, said that on February sth Munn told her, when she expressed her intention of seeing his wife, that he did not want "any women down there," as the doctor had said that his wife must be kept quiet. He (Munn) was going to look after: his wife himself. "I next saw Mrs Munn on Friday, February 7th," said Mrs Brown, continuing her evidence after the luncheon adjournment. She looked worse than when I saw her before. She said she could not get up, as she had lost the use of her legs. Her eyes iwere half closed, and, she seemed to be jumping and twitching !as she had been bdfore. Tears were running down her cheeks, and she Beemed to be crying. She was vVery nervous, and was annoyed , when I walked about the room. Sho

said she could not stand any noise. Witness said she heard Mrs Munn ask Munn about the state of the linoleum in the house, and accused replied: "Yon can well scrub the boards when that is/worn out." • Mr Northcroft: When you met Munn on Wednesday he told you his wife.was ill, you immediately went for him and told him he was to blame!— Not exactly blaming . him. I told him he should not: have kept her up reading to him So, instead of sympathising with him, you upbraid apd blame him for his wife's illness!r-I didn't blame him. When he said he did not want any women about, was it his ordinary way of talking!— Yes. And you did not take it he was speaking in a harsh way of his wife!— No. Did you v take it seriously when ho said you can— well scrub, the boards, or was it just a joke!—l took it that it was just a joke.:" Mrs Beatrice Knight Lidiard, another neighbour, said Bhe did not see Mrs Munn until the last day of her illness. On the morning Mrs Munn died Munn was going for a doctor when witness arrived at the house shortly after 10 o'clock. He said he did not like the look of Mrs Munn, and asked witness to stay till he returned. When witness looked in the room Mrs Munn was apparently dead. . Cross-examined, witness said she saw the doctor arrive about 15 minutes after Munn had returned. On the morning she became ill Mrs Munn did not mention her husband-giving her anything to drink which tasted bitter. .Witness and the Munns had beep neighbours for about seven years. During the last two years she saw a good deal of them, dropping in at odd times. She never saw any signs of. unbappiness or quarrelling. On one occasion she jvent with them to the United Political Party picnic' at Motuihi. Munn was actively connected with the United Party. _ Mr Northcroft: On the day of .Mrs Munn's death did.you go to the house again!— Yes, in the afternoon. What was Munn's attitude then!— Munn broke down. Witness at-this stage broke into tears and had to sit down. The balance of the evidence was of a formal nature. . The Court adjourned till to-morrow, when the first witness will be Dr. Dudding: '■" ■ " '■