MUNN ON TRIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1930, Page 6

MUNN ON TRIAL

(By Telegraph—Press Association),

AUCKLAND, May 14. The murder trial entered the third day to-day. Mrs Gill, who lived in the Hat under the Munns’, said that on the day before Mrs Munn died, sire saw her doing her washing. She appeared bright , and cheerful., About seven o’clock net morning, Mrs Munn told witness that ;she had been at the pictures the night before. She said she had a headache., and went inside. Afyout ten minutes,later, Munn’s little, girl came and asked witness to go upstairs. She found Mrs Munn sitting in a chair with her hands, and with legs stretched out. She seemed to be stiff, and at times the legs twitched. She could speak but indistinctly. She asked witness what was the matter with tier. When witness tried to give her .some water, she cried, ‘‘Don’t touch 1 * me.” Later, Munn came in saying lie had been for a doctor. Munn said he did not know wliat was wrong.

'Mrs Gill added that about four o’clock in the same afternoon she again saw Airs Munn, who was collected and cool and seemed comfortable. Two days later, witness saw her still in bed. She was all nerves. On Friday evening witness visited her and was surprised to see a change for the worse. Mrs Munn said, “Don’t worry me, I’m m.” Witness did not see her on Saturday, nor on Sunday, but at six o’clock on' Sunday morning heard her crying and moaning. The cries were similar lo those on the day she took ill. They continued till Aluhn came down two hours later, to ask witness to go for a doctor. Munn said that his wife had got out of bed, and lie could not get net hack, and she could not get her oreatlx very veil. Mrs Gill, after being cross-examined by Air Northcroft, questioned by the Judge, and re-examined by Air ATereditlx, fainted, and was carried from the Court room by a doctor and Court officials. As she did not recover quickly, another witness was culled

Airs Alary Jane Brown, a neighbour, said that oil February sth. Munn told her when she expressed the intention of seeing his wife that he did not want any damn women down there, as the doctor had said his wife must he kept quiet. He (Alunn) was going to look after his wife himself.

.“I next saw Airs Munn on Friday, February 7th.” “She looked worse than when I. saw her before. She said she could not get up as she had no use of her legs. Her eyes were half closed , and she seemed to be crying. She was very nervous and was annoyed when I walked about the room. She said she could not stand any noise.” Witness said that she heard Airs Alunn ask Munn about the state of the linoleum in tli'e house, and accused replied. “You can damn well scrub the board when that is worn out.” I " ■ 1

Air Northcroft; “When you met Munn on the AYednesday lie told you his wife was.ill and you immediately went for .him and told him lie was to blame?”

: Witness.: “I was not-exactly'blam-ing him. I told him he should not nave kept her*up reading to him.” “So instead of sympathising with him you upbraid and blame him for his wife’s illness?” “I . didn’t blame, him when he said he did not want any damned women about.” “Was it his ordinary way of talking ?” “Yes.”, “And you did not take it he was speaking in a harsh a way of deceased?” “Did you take it seriously when he said ‘You can damn well scrub boards’ or was it just a joke?.’

“1 took it that it was just a joke.” Mrs Beatrice Ivnigh Lidiard, another neighbour said that Airs Munn was quite well before her illness. Witness did not see Airs Munn until the last day of her illnes. On lie morning Mrs Afunn died, Alunn was going for the doctor when witness

arrived at the house, shortly after ten o’clock. He said lie 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 that she saw the doctor arrive about lo minutes after Munn had returned. In the morning she became ill Mrs Munn did not mention her husband giving her anything to drink which tasted bitter. Witness and the Mnnns had been neighbours for about seven years. During the last two years she saw a. good d-ealof them dropping in at odd times. She never saw any signs of unhappiness or quarrelling. On one occasion she went with them to the United Political Party’s picnic at Motuihi. Munn was actively connected with the United Party.

Mr (Northeroft: “On the day of Mrs -Munn’s deatli 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 Budding.