GRIM FORMALITY

Hawera Star, Volume L, 29 July 1930, Page 4

GRIM FORMALITY

MUNN’S LIFE ENDED EXECUTION AT AUCKLAND REQUEST TO AUTHORITIES (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Juiy A). Arthur Thomas Munn, convicted of murdering his wife at Northoofe on February 11, was hanged in Mt. Eden prison at S o’clock this morning. In his last utterance he requested that the statement made by him in writing (and now in the hands of the prison authorities) be published.

Munn was found guilty of poisoning his wife and was condemned to death just nine weeks ago. An apeal on the grounds of the admissibility of evidence of consistent cruelty failed, and a week ago the carrying out of the death penalty was settled beyond recall iby the decision of the Executive Council. Counsel for the condemned man referred recently to the delay in consideration by the Executive Council as “positively indecent,” but Munn’s demeanour when informed that the seal-had been placed on his fate, was as calm as that shown by him during his fortnight’s trial. Since sentence was imposed Munn has never been left without a warder, and lie has spent the time playing table games with his attendants and in writing.

The grim formality this morning began a few minutes before 8 a.m. with the sheriff’s call at Munn’s cell for “the body of Arthur Thomas Munn, sentenced to death for murder.” The procession to the gallows followed immediately, to the accompaniment of prayers by the prison, chaplain. The scaffold was an iron-framed device, assembled very quickly with bolts to avoid distressing demonstration. The law strictly limits the witnesses to executions. A doctor, the gaoler, and a prison officer are essential, in addition to the sheriff. Justices and ministers may attend, and the sheriff may select not more than ten other adult male witnesses. The latter include the Press. The doctor must give a certificate of death, and a coroner must hold an inquest; The relatives may take charge of "the body after eight hours.