CHARGE OF MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20528, 1 April 1930, Page 13

CHARGE OF MURDER.

death of a wife. MUNN BEFORE COURT. .CASE FOR PROSECUTION, DEAD WOMAN'S LETTERS. EVIDENCE OF CHILDREN. The hearing of a charge of n "tinier ,v4ain>t Arthur Thomas Munn, aged 45, a furniture maker, arising from the death of his wife, Mrs. Lillio May Munn, at Xorthcote, on February 11. was comHicuccd in the Police Court yesterday. Public curiosity in tho case was reflected jo the 1/irgo attendance at tho Court throughout the day. Among those present were a number of women. Little, was previously known about the lino the police investigations had taken, and tho unfolding of tho details in the case for the prosecution was closely followed.

H is exported 29 witnesses will be called. Tho nine called yesterday included 11 o mother of Mrs. Munn and t hice children by Munn's first wife, but the lengthiest evidence was tendered by Mrs. Ceorgina A. E. Stuck, who met Munn through the agency of a newspaper advertisement, and who agreed to keep house for liiui shortly after tho death of his wife occurred As there arc 20 witnesses still to be heard, it is expected the case will occupy the whole of to-day and probably extend |r> to-morrow. The preliminary hearing took place heforo Mr. F. K. Hunt.S.M. The evidence for I lie prosecution was led bv Mr. V. K. Meredith, Crown Prosecutor. Mr. F. H. Northcroft, instructed by Messrs. Pell and Speight, appeared for tho accused. Depositions for Inquest. Munn. a tall, clean-shaven man, with grey hair, maintained a composed demeanour throughout yesterday's hearing, lie stood in tho dock throughout tho morning, but, at Mr. Hunt's suggestion, ho was provided with a chair when the Court resumed in tho afternoon. Tho depositions for the adjourned inquest into the death of Mrs. Munn were taken contemporaneously with the evidence on the murder charge

A plan of the house and property at 33, Richmond Avenue. Northcote, was produced by Reginald Waiter Hugo Riddle, a draftsman in tho employ of the Public Works Department, who was the first witness. He explained that there were six rooms, with a bathroom, kitchen and back porch on one floor, and a basement containing three rooms, a bathroom and a kitchenette.

Mrs. Sarah Lillie Campbell, of Constable Street, W c 'hngton, said Liliio May Munn was her daughter. Mrs. Munn was born in Wellington in 1886. She was first married to a Mr. M. Westerby in 1917. Mr. Westerby served on a hospital ship during the war, and died in England. There were no children by that marriage. On March 12, 1020, witness said, her daughter was married to Munn at (Ireytown. Mnnn was described as divorced. A little time later Mr. and Mrs. Munn removed to Northcote. There were two children,, both girls, by the. second marriage. The children were aged nine and five years respectively. Letters to Mrs. Munn's Mother. Mrs. Campbell said her daughter wrote to her regularly from Auckland, the last communication being a letter-card, dated February 9. The, letter was as follows: — 1 can only write a note to you, as 1 inn Ivir.s in tied. 1 crime over very queer last Tuesday morninff. ami Arthur went and •.rot the doctor. Ho was hero a very lons lime and stuck a needle in my arm and drew off blood. This he took away to lost. 1 think. It is blood pressure arid nerve trouble, 1 think, mum, although neither doctor nor Arthur told me. I hnve to lie very still and keep absolutely iviict,. No visitors. Arthur is just jjoodness'ilpeif, mum, and is looking after me wonderfully well. I don't want you to worry, mum dear, because 1 hope to bo freliuu' better again soon. lam only rble to tiavo fruit and vesetablo diet No ecss, merit fish. Do not ko and tell Auntie and v 0., because they :iro not allowed to come in and excite me, and they would sure want to come over if they heard.

Mrs. Campbell said she had also received a letter, dated February 3, from her daughter. The letter, which was read, was a lengthy one. Inter alia - Mrs. Munn said: " Yesterday afternoon (Saturday) Arthur didn't go to town as he has done lately, but took us out in the car to a nice beach." further on Airs. Munn said: Arthur got up and brought me my breakfast this morning, a thing I never have, only when sick, but it was nice having a bit, longer to rest. IoNViird the close of the letter Mrs. Munn wrote: "Wo are all quite well, Mum dear, I am pleased to say." " Not at all Despondent."

" She had a lovely disposition; she was cheerful and briglij, and was not at all despondent," said Mrs. Campbell when asked to describe her daughter's nature. Mr. Northcroft: Arc those two the only letters from your daughter you now have? Witness: They are the only recent ones. I mav have some written in 1923 and IMS). . When her daughter married Munn sho had £IOO at least, said Mrs. Campbell. Witness understood her daughter put, the inonov into "Tho Equitable. Ultimately, Mrs. Va/riphell believed, her daughter put the luonev into the Northcote property. Evidence was next given by Oliver Arthur Herbert Munn, a sea grass worker, a son of Munn by his first marriage. Witness said he lived with his father until a little over 12 months ago. He was living with Ins lather when the latter married a second time. His father's conduct toward Ins late wife was "not the best, ' and io often spoke to her abusively. »\Y t..c> tune witness left, Northcote his father had got to (he position of " knocking his vile about a hit." 111-treatment Alleged. Witness gave several instances of Munn's striking his wife and threatening !<i strike her. Quarrels were often caused over iiivial things. On one occasion Munn had thrown a plate of food over his wil-3. Witness had seen Mrs. Munn fall as a result of being pushed about by his father. " He did not show tho same temper toward other members of the family, although he tried to over-rule, them and u'ive, them lectures," added the witness. Mrs Munn had sometimes annoyed her luishand over little things. Sho may not have cleaned his suit, for instance. However. site, had never said anything rudo to his father. The witness said ho had heard ' terrible long lectures " given to Mn Munn in her bedroom by Munn, and after about half an hour or so Mrs. Munn would cry. That sort of Hung would happen about twico a week. Mrs Munn's temperament was meelc nnd mild." added tho witness. She would Ii v and he peaceful for the sako of the

children. , ~ Mr. Meredith: What was her disposi

Witness: She would always meet, visitors will, a smile and make them welcome. Mr. Meredith: What was her general health like at the time you left?— Very

The witness said bis father ran the house, and (old Mrs. Munn what food to

Spvonil qucslions t olaliii« to rats wcro no\l Tint.'by Mr. Meredith. Answering Uicsc queries I he witness said that when 11 is JSortlicoto liouso at 33, Richmond

Avenuo, was taken nine years ago, tlioro wcro a few nits about but there wore no rats when lie left. Ho had also heard his father say thoro were no rats about then.

Air. Northcroft did not question the wit n ess.

Dorothy Ida Munn, aged 19, said accused was her father by his first marriago. She was now living s with her mother at Mount Eden. She had lived with her father and tho late Mrs. Munn at, Northcoto for somo time, but sho had left there threo years ago. At tho time sho left Northcoto her father's conduct to his wifo was very cruel. He spoke abusively to his wife and on two occasions witness said she had seen her father strike his wife. Once ho had struck his wifo on tho back with his closed hand, and tho woman fell. On another occasion, while Mrs. Munn was stirring jam over a stove the accused struck her with a stick which was covered with hot jam. Mrs. Munn was always doing what she honestly could for the accused. "1 left home because ho was always cruel to mo," said the witness. "lie never spoke decently to me. T had every other week-end off and sometimes I did not go home when I had tho week-end off. There was trouble about this. He said [ had to come homo every week-end I had off or ho would put tho polico on to me. I then refused to go homo any more. I got in touch with my own mother by advertising." The witness was not cross-examined. Another Daughter's Evidence.

Tho next witness was Mavis Leone Munn. aged 17. who said sho also lived with her mother, Munn's first wife, at Mount Eden. Sho had lived with her father at Northcote, but left nearly threo years ago. Her sister Dorothy had left about two months previously. Her father had treated the lato Mrs. Munn "with no respect at all," and always spoke to her roughly. Witness had never seen her father strike his wife, but she bad soon 'Munn chase his wife into a bedroom. However, Mrs. Munn barricaded the door. Munn's behaviour to his wife had not altered up to tho time witness left Northcote, and sho had often seen her stepmother crying.

"110 told nic (o dear out," said (he witness, when asked by Mr. Meredith why she left Northcote. Robert Rowan "Rell. solicitor, of Auckland. said lie knew the late Mrs. Mnnn and had acted as solicitor for her and her husband. On September 30, 1929. he first, acted for Mrs. Mnnn in connection with sonic property at Northcote. Ou December 24 he received a letter from ' Mrs. Mnnn instructing him to prepnro a will, leaving everything to her husband and appointing tho latter sole trustee. A will was prepared immediately after the law vacation, and Mrs. Mnnn signed the will on January 15. Mrs. Munn's health 11 en seemed much the same as when he had seen her previously, and there was nothing unusual in her demeanour. A Matrimonial Advertisement. Miss Evelyn F. MeGrath, an advertising clerk in the office of the Auckland Star. said that on October 10 last a matrimonial advertisement, was handed oyer the counter to her with a request for its insertion in tho paper. She pointed out to the man who tendered the advertisement that the words "view matrimony" would have to be put in if the advertisement was to go in the matrimonial column. The, man agreed to tho addition of Iho two words, which witness wrote iri.

Tho advertisement then read: "Gent., 40, lonely, wishes to meet companionable woman, without means preferable, view matrimony." The witness said she did not remember the man, but sho had asked him to sign on the back of the advertisement. Ihe man then signed: "Munn, Northcote." Tho advertisement appeared in tho papers of October 11, 12 and 13. (icorgini Alberta Emily Stuck, a widow, resident at Parnell, said she knew Munn. She first met him at the time of the Christ church Exhibition. In October last sho was living at Ayr Street,. Parnell, and she saw an advertisement in tiki Tiia.l rimonial column of the Auckland Star. Sho replied lo the advertisement, and as a result she received a letter signed "Arthur Thomas." An appointment in Parnell Road was suggested in tho letter. She kept tho appointment, and Arthur Thomas Munn met her. He was to hold a paper in his hand in order that sho should recognise whom'sho was to meet. Munn said there had been numerous replies to his advertisement. Conversation on Roadside. At, that time witness did not recognise having previously met Munn in Christchurch. Munn had a car, and they went for a drive through Onehunga, over theMangero Bridge. They then stopped on tho sido of tho road and talked. Munn did not that day tell her anything about his circumstances. Ho said ho wanted a friend, but, did not explain the reason that day. They were together about an hour, and tliev had just talked about "things in general." No arrangement was mn;le for another appointment, but Munn later wiofe to her, asking for a further meeting at the same place as before. The appointment was for the afternoon of the Wednesday before Labour Day. They again drove out to exactly the same place as before. She asked Munn on that occasion whether he was married, and he said ho was. "I asked him his name," continued tho witness. "I said 1 had a feeling he was married and that I had an idea Arthur Thomas was not his name. He then said bis full name was Arthur Thomas Munn. I said I thought I knew him I thought for a while, and found [ had met him in Christchurcb. As he ; was married I said it could not go on, as [ did not like to come between husband and wife. Munn said his wife had lost interest in the, home, and ho said lie wanted a friend. I thought it over and 1 think I said: "I will be a friend. Later Munn drovo her to a street Mount Eden and they sat in tho car. Subsequently Munn drove her to the top of her road in Parnell Munn P™ee<led to tho city to catch the boat at 9 or 10 o'clock in' tho evening. Woman's Meetings With Mum. • Munn again wrote, asking her to meet ],i,,i at Milford on Labour Day. She met him on tho afternoon of that day, and was with him from tlireo to five minutes. Her brother and his wife had accompanied her to Milford. She came home to tea and later went to Northcote. Sho went to see Mr. Munn, as she had arranged to ,lo at Milford. Munn met nor on the Auckland sido of the harbour and took her to Northcote. Munn's car was parked bv the Northcote wharf, and they went | for a drive along the Takapuna Road, i They turned off that road a slight disI tance. tho car being pulled up on the roadside. ... i "I said I did not wish our frcndslup 1 |o continue," said Mrs. Stuck. "He asked mo to still go on being a friend to him, and I said I would." Munn came to see her in Auckland between tho time of answering the advertisement and Christmas. He came to see he» each Monday morning and each Saturday : afternoon. On the Saturday, he would bring tho car and they would go timing. | Munn would tho 10.50 p.rn. boat to Northcote. On the Mondays Munn cams for morning tea. Munn also wrote to her | once a week, llio letter usually being received on a Wednesday. They were only friendship letters, and were signed: "Vours truly, Arthur." While witness was at Ayr Street Munn had never given | her presents. Sho left Ayr Street a fortnight or threo weeks before Christmas, and took a flat in Parnell Road Mum. continued to visit her at the flat,, wheie her daughter also lived. Munn gave her a chair, which she thought lie had made himself, and fruit and vegetables. Witness vacated tho flat on Januaiy 30 and left for Christchurcb on tho following day. The intervening night was spent at, the Y W.C.A. Munn farowelled her when sho left for Christchurcb. Her absence ; vils to be indefinite. Munn said: \oiiwill return some time, I suppose, to which| she had replied: "I hope to. Mrs. Stuck said at that lime she did not anticipate coming back. She said she would wr,i----lo him, addressing letters to A' u mi" Thomas, Takapuna Post Office. - She did

not wish to write to Munn at liis house, but she could not remember which of them had suggested tho address to bo used. Letters to her were to lie addressed: "Mrs. G. Stuck, care Christchurch Post Office." She thought sho wrote two letters to Munn while sho was in Christ,church.

Mr. Meredith produced a telegram, alleged to have been sent to Mrs* Stuck by Munn on February 4. Tho telegram stated: "Wifo had stroko" this morning; writing. Arthur." Mr. Meredith then produced (ho reply allegedly sent by Mrs. Stuck: "Very sorry missed mail; all being altered here. Can you please wire me to-day or Thursday caro post office, five pounds' Two loiters Thursday for you; received wire, sympathy. I want to return; lonely; love. Georgie." Mrs. Stuck said the money was telegraphed to l.er and she used it to pay her faro back to Auckland. On the way back she sent a telegram to "Arthur Thomas." stating: "Arriving Auckland 6.30 to-morrow morning. Georgie." Munn did not, meet her as he had not received the telegram. On returning to Auckland she thought she stayed at the Y.W.C.A. She met Munn before lunch on that day, which was a Saturday. Munn took her to tho Young Women's Catholic Hostel in Symonds Street. She hai,l asked Munn what was wrong with his wife, to which he teplied that ho did not know. Munn said his wife was preparing a meal, when sho felt giddy. He thought she had fainted and he helped her to a chair. Munn said his wifo would have fallen had he not caught her. Illness of Mrs. Munn. Mrs. Stuck said she had gone, to tho Catholic Hostel to inquire about a position at Northcoto. Munns telegraphed her at tho Y.W.C.A. on the following day to say ho would take, her and her daughter to show her where tho St. Peter's Rural Training College was. That was the place at which she was applying for a situation. After visiting the college, sho and her daughter had tea in Northcote, but Munii was not with them then. Her daughter went back to Auckland in time, to post a letter for Mr. Munn's late wifo by one of the evening expresses.

Continuing, Mrs. Stuck said slip again met Mnnn. between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., on (lie Sunday, and he motored her along tho Takapuna Road. The car \v;u; pulled up by the roadside, and they remained (here an hour or an hour and a-half. Mnnn then motored her hack to the boat. Mnnn had told her daughter and her (hat day that he was not satisfied with his wife's progress and was thinking of calling in another doctor. On the following day, a Monday, Mnnn took her and her luggage to the college at Northcote, arriving there about 11.30 a.m. Munn had said either on the Sunday or Monday, that his wife was very depressed, and had asked him not to send her to a hospital.

Asked to Keep House for Accused. The witness said she again saw Munn on Tuesday. He called at Ihe college about 7 p.m. Witness answered the door when Munn called. She spoke to him and lie did not reply. " I looked at his face and asked what was wrong," said Mrs. Stuck. "He broke down and said his wife was gone. I said: ' Don't tell me that.' "

Continuing, witness said Munn stayed about seven or eight minutes. She did not see him oil the next day, Wednesday, but ho came to the college to see her on Thursday evening. She left tho college with him, and went to his home to see the children. Munn told her while at the college, that his wife's people wanted to take the children, but he wanted to keep them. He asked her lo keep house for him and she said she would. She told Munn she would have to give a week's notice at the college, and Ihe matter was left at. that.

The evening she. visited '.Munn's home was the night after the funeral. Munn later drove her back lo the college. She did not, know until tho following Saturday that an inquest had heou opened. She left, tho college on the Saturday. She told bather Zanna she would give notice, but Father Zanna said: " Mr. Munn has two children and will want you at once." Mrs. Stuck said her daughter came to see. her at tho college on the Saturday, and went lo Northcote with her. Proposal of Marriage. Munn told her about tho inquest, but she could not remember whether that was on the Thursday or the Saturday. She asked Munn why the inquest had been adjourned, and ho said: " She must have taken her Jife." She understood Mnnn to say a doctor had called twice on the day his wife died. Witness said she stayed exactly three weeks at, "Munn's house. During that tirno Munn asked whether, for tho sake

of tho children, sho would think of marrying him. Sho declined, saying that her fust marriage was unsuccessful and she wished him to sco other women before lie decided 011 her. In proposing marriage Munn had suggested no time. Munn then said: "Wo will leave it until the inquest is over." Tho witness said slio was not wearing her wedding ring when slio went to Munn's place to keep house. Munn asked what had become of it. Sho said she had it and sho showed it to him. He look it from her, and said lie would keep it until he bought her ono himself. That incident took place during her second week at Munn's place. " I was only a friend to Mr. Munn," said the witness. Munn had said ho thought enough of her to marry her, but she had never at anv time told him what slio had thought of him, " I gave him my cat, a Persian, and some pot plants," said Mrs. Stuck when asked if she had made any gifts to Munn. She gavo him those things when breaking up her flat at Parnell toward the end of Januaiv.

While she was at Northcote, Munn occupied a double bedroom. New blinds and new linoleum wero procured after sho went there. She chose the latter but did not know who selected the blinds. No furniture was bought. Mr. Northcroft did not question tho witness, who had been in the witness-box for over an hour and a-half. Nature o! Mrs. Munn's Illness.

Tho next witness was Mrs. Lydia Gill, of Northcote. Slio said sho had a flat under the liouso occupied liy Munn and his late wife. She had rented the flat from Munn since June last. She used tho same yard as Mrs. Munn. At the bottom of the yard Munn had a workshop in which lie worked during tho day. Mrs. Gill remembered seing Mrs. Munn on the morning of February 3. It was washing-day. Mrs. Munn seemed cheerful and bright. The witness also saw Mrs. Munn 011 the following morning, and asked her whether sho was tired or had a headache. Mrs. Munn said she had a slight headache, and then went in to prepare breakfast. A little girl came down later and asked witness to go up to Mrs. Munn, who was ill. There were just Mrs. Munn and the children there, Mr. Munn having gone for a doctor. Mrs. Munn was reclining in the chair with her head resting back, and was gripping the sides of the chair. Mrs". Munn was twitching anil drawing her legs up. ller mouth was parched and twitching, and her eyes were half-closed. Mrs. Munn asked witness if slio knew what was the matter —whether witness had seen anyone like that, before. Witness replied she had not, and Mrs. Munn was very worried, saving she had never been liko that before. Mrs, Munn asked witness not to leave her. Demonstration By Witness. At Mr. Meredith's request, Mrs. Gill demonstrated the attitude and actions of Mrs. Munn while reclining in the chair. "It is important that this demonstration should he recorded in tho evidence," said Mr. Northcroft, who pointed out that the witness was giving her description 111 greater detail during the demonstration than she had done previously. Fuller details were accordingly incorporated. Mr. Meredith: Did you attempt to touch her ? Witness: t offered to get a drink of water for her, but she said: "Don't leave me. I'm frightened." Mr. Meredith: Did you leave her.? —No. Mr. Meredith: Did you go near her? — Yes, T touched her because T wanted to lift her up to sit on the chair. Mr. Meredith: What happened then? When T touched her sho shouted: "No, Mrs. Gill, you're hurting 'me." It sounded as if she was in pain. I tried different ways to lift her up on tho chair. Mrs. Munn said she had no power in her legs, and that 1 was hurting her. I said I was not hurting her. She said: "I don't know whether you are hurting me or whether I am sore. I feel queer." T was not able to shift her, and she seemed powerless.

Mr. Meredith: Was she like that when Mimn came back?— Yes, she was still in the same position. I asked Mr. Munn he knew what was tho matter. Ho said ho did not know, but ho had been for tho doctor, who would soon be thero. Mr. Munn and I then carried Mrs. Munn into bed. Mr. Munn brought Mrs. Munn a cup of tea, but she could not open her mouth to (ako tho drink. I made Mrs. Munn as comfortable as I could, and left before the doctor arrived, as I had to go to work.

The witness said she saw Mrs. Munn again in the afternoon. She went into llio bedroom to see Mrs. Munn, who seemed very comfortable, but was si ill "a bit twitehy." Mrs. Munn said the doctor had been and taken a blood test. On the following day when witness saw

Mrs. Munn tho latter said the doctor thought it was kidney trouble. Mrs. Munn added that she had to bo kept very quiet and was to have no visitors. Witness put her hand on the bed near Mrs Munn's feet, when Mrs. Munn said: "Don't. That hurts." Witness said: "But I am not touching you, Mrs. Munn." Mrs. Munn replied; "I can't bear anything to touch inc. I am all nerves." As no visitors were allowed, witness did not stay. Witness saw Mrs. Munn 011 Friday, and the latter looked very ill. Slio was different from the last time witness had seen her. I said: "What is the matter? I didn't know there was a change like this," continued witness. Mrs. Munn replied: "Don't worry me, Mrs. Gill. I'm ill." Mrs. Munn said sho had had another bad turn, but witness did not ask her when. As Mrs. Munn was very ill, witness said sho would go downstairs and not worry her. The witness said she had not seen Mrs. Munn from that Friday until Mrs. Munn's death 011 the following Tuesday. 011 the morning of the day Mrs. Munn died witness heard cries, which started shortly before six o'clock. These cries continued until Mrs. Munn seemed to bo worn out with crying. It was not ordinary crying, but tho cries of one 111 pain. Mr. Munn asked her about 8.30 a.m. if she would go for the doctor, and she did so. .

Mrs. Munn was of a bright disposition, although "highly strung," added tho witness. Sho idolised her children and her husband, too. Tho witness said slio had seen 110 rats on the premises. Since she had been there she had seen "only one little mouse." Mr. Munn had not mentioned the subject of rats to her, but Mrs. Munn had said there wero rats among the hens. That was why about six cats wero kept. Mr. Northcroft briefly questioned the witness with a view to fixing tho hours at which she had seen Mrs. Munn during tho latter's illness.

The hearing was at that stago ad journed until 10.30 a.m. to-day.