CHARGED WITH MURDER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 917, 10 March 1930, Page 1

CHARGED WITH MURDER

Northcote Arrest Sensation MUNN WELL-KNOWN PUBLIC MAN Sequel to Wife’s Death THE arrest of Arthur Thomas Munn, of 33 Richmond Avenue, Northcote, at midday on Saturday, on a charge of murdering his wife, Lily May Munn, on February 11, caused a considerable sensation in the North Shore borough. During the week-end the arrest was almost the sole topic of conversation. Formerly a member of the Northcote Borough Council, Munn has taken a very active interest in public affairs and has constantly been in the public eye. When he appeared at the special Court opened before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., on Saturday afternoon an application for release on bail was refused and accused was remanded in custody.

As reported in The Sun on Saturday, Munn was arrested shortly before one o’clock in the afternoon by Detective-Sergeant Doyle and ActingDetective Power. Munn was then having lunch with his two children at his home. He was escorted to the central police station by Detective O’Sullivan, where, at a special court, Detective-Sergeant Kelly read the charge and secured an adjournment of the case until March 17. SUDDENLY TAKEN ILL While preparing breakfast on the taorning of February 4 Mrs. Munn was suddenly taken ill. Dr. R. G. Dudding was called in and he prescribed for her. She was confined to her bed and the doctor was called in on several occasions until February 31. On that morning the doctor received advice of the patient’s condition and he was at the house until 30 o’clock. When he was called again Shout 11.30 o’clock he found that Mrs. Muhn had died. A certificate of death was withheld by the doctor and on .February 12 he informed the police to this effect. The body was removed to the public morgue that evening. On the following day an inqnest was opened befqre Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., and after evidence of identification had been given by Munn, the inquest, at the request of ChiefDetective Hammond, was adjourned sine die. A post-mortem examination was carried out at the request of the coroner. The woman's stomach was examined by the Government analyst, and, according to the police, his report made reference to the finding of traces of poison. Mr. and Mrs. Munn were married at Greytown, in the Carterton district, and came to reside at Birkenhead some eight years ago. Mrs. Munn was formerly a Mrs. Westerby, her first husband having died at the war shortly after their marriage. Munn had previously been married, but wa3 divorced. There were three children of his first marriage, and two daughters of the second marriage, aged eight and five years, who lived ■with their parents, and to whom Mrs. Munn was said to be deeply attached Munn, who is aged 45, is a wickerWorker carrying on business at his residence. On arriving at Birkenhead he commenced to take a keen interest in public affairs, and in April, 1927. was elected a member of the Northcote Borough Council. He served for two years on the council, hut was defeated at the 1929 election. When on the council he had the reputation of being a hard worker, being particularly interested in the completion of the municipal recreation reserve. He w r as also prominently associated with the North Shore Expansion League, and was honorary secretary of the Northcote Bridge Committee.

Munn had also been a prominent worker in church circles, for some time being connected with the Wes-leyan-Methodist Church, and a Bible class teacher. Latterly he had become a Seventh Day Adventist. WIFE’S KINDLY DISPOSITION Mrs. Munn, who was 43 years oi age, was said to be of a quiet but very kindly disposition, and highly

respected by those who knew her personally. At the time of her death a resolution of sympathy with Mr Munn was passed by the Northcote Borough Council. Her funeral was of a private nature, only her husband and a few relatives being present. Mrs. Munn visited friends in Edendale a week before her illness. She was quite well then and talked of her two children, whom she loved. ’’Everybody loved Mrs. Munn,” this friend told a Sun representative this morning. “We lived near her for a year in Northcote and we were very fond of her. My mother always called Mrs. Munn her daughter. She was a devoted wife and mother and had a lovipg disposition. She never went out very much.” Since Mrs. Munn’s death detectives have been making constant inquiries, calling upon practically all the residents in the street, and also pursuing inquiries among the tradespeople. Prior to his removal to Mount Eden prison on Saturday Munn, who had not been represented by counsel at the formal hearing, was allowed an opportunity to consult a solicitor.