MRS MUNN’S FATAL ILLNESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 936, 1 April 1930, Page 1

MRS MUNN’S FATAL ILLNESS

Women Friends Describe Condition

northcote trial proceeds Additional Evidence Heard Today rE mental condition and symptoms of sickness of Mrs. Lillie May Munn from the time her illness developed until her death, was described in the Police Court today by women friends and neighbours of the dead woman. This testimony was called in support of the Crown case in the prosecution of Arthur Thomas Munn, 45, a furnituremaker, charged with wife-murder at Northcote on February 11. The intense public interest in the case was reflected in another crowded gallery, overflowing into the body of the Court. Many of the spectators were women.

Sitting in the dock, Munn was busily engaged in making notes for a consideraole time this morning. The prosecution was conducted by v. R. Meredith and Mr. K. H. Northcroft represented the accused. Nine witnesses were heard yesterday, leaving a further 20 for examination, which is expected to extend till tomorrow. The court was crowded this morning, when the hearing of evidence was continued. Mrs. Mary Jane Brown, of Queen Street, said she had known the (lead woman for about seven years, Mrs. Munn and she frequently visited one another's homes. She frequently saw Munn and his wife together, but witness could not say accused treated her with kindness. On Monday, Febtuary 3, witness lunched with Mrs. Munn at her home, and noticed she was in good health and spirits. Mrs. Munn said she had done a big washing in the morning, and was tired. That evening Munn called on witness and asked her to mind the children while he and his wife went to the pictures, and witness did so. On their return Mrs. Munn made supper, and seemed all right, stating she enjoyed the pictures very much. The first she heard of Mrs. Munn' 3 illness was on meeting accused on the waterfront, on the city side. He announced that his wife was very sick in bed, and witness retorted that her sickness was caused by his keepipg her up too long reading to him when she should be resting. When witness announced she would call to see Mrs. Munn, accused 3aid he didn't want any damn women down there, as the doctor asserted that his wife had to be kept quiet, and he would look after her himself. Nevertheless, witness visited Mrs. Munn, and Munn told her he did not want her putting things into his wife’s head. Mrs. Munn. he said, thought she had kidney trouble, but she had blood pressure. She noticed that Mrs. Munn was nervous, twitching all over, and drawing her legs up, and accused said she had lost the use of her arms and legs. Mrs. Munn told witness she did not know what was the matter with her, but that Dr. Dudding had stated she had blood pressure. She added she thought she had a stroke on Tuesday morning'while preparing breakfast. After tea that evening, witness again visited Mrs. Munn, and sho stayed with the sick woman until Munn returned from a meeting about 10.30 o'clock. During that time, Mrs. Munn was “very nervous, ill and twitchy.’’ NASTY BITTER SALTS On Friday, February 7, Mrs. Brown said she called at the Munn home about 3.30 and found Mrs. Munn very ill in bed, and she could not get out. Mrs. Munn seemed nervous, very twitchy, her eyes being half-closed and she did not seem to be able to speak properly. In answer to a question, Mrs. Munn said that her husband had given her some epsoni salts that morning. “They were the nastiest. bitterest salts she ever tasted,’ Mrs. Munn told witness. The sick woman started to cry when witness entered the room, and her nerves were so bad that she could not bear witness walking round, and that the least bit of noise made her head bad, "Mrs. Munn had a very kind dispose tion and always seemed bright, but seemed nervous about something, said Mrs. Brown. On one occasion nine months ago, witness had seec three red weals on the back of hei neck. She had heard Mrs. Munr ask her husband for some new kitcher linoleum, and he said she “could damn well scrub the boards when the floor covering was worn out.'' Mrs. Munn had also asked accused for some new blinds, but up to the time of tne / woman's death these had not been supplied. TERRIBLE PAINS Mrs. Beatrice Knight Lydiard, living in Richmond Avenue, Northcote, not far from Muna's house, said she was acquainted and had spoken to Mrs. Munn, who appeared to be all right prior to her illness. On Tuesday, February 4, Munn came over to witness’s home about 10 o’clock, stating his wife had a stroke and asked her to stay with Mrs. Munn, while he visited town. When witness went over Mrs. Munn was in bed, alone in the house. The sick woman was quite rational, but complained of terrible pains in her legs. Mrs. Munn said she was cooking the breakfast in the morning, and a giddy turn came over her, and her legs felt cramped. Mrs. Munn added that the pains had also been in her arms, but these had disappeared. and further said her eyes were vc?ry sore, and this had obliged her to stop some sewing which she tried to do.

The following morning Mrs. Lydiard said she inquired concerning Mrs. Munn’s condition, but did not see her as Munn told her at the back steps that his wife had to be kept perfectly quiet. Munn gave no indication of his wife’s condition. Each morning witness called and iu-

variably Munn met her, hut she was never invited to go in to see the sick woman. The morning of Mrs. Munn’s death, Mrs. Lydiard again visited the Munn home. Accused said his wife was a little better then, but had had a terrible night. He declared his wife had been restless and clinging to him all night. An hour later, curiosity as to Mrs. Munn’s condition prompted her to call again at the Munn home, and she found accused going out in his car. j She asked how was Mrs. Munn and where he was going, and he replied “for the doctor.” He added the doctor had called before and had injected morphia and that his wife was sleeping and he did not like the look of her. THOUGHT HER DEAD “I looked into the bedroom and went in just a little way," continued witness. “I could see Mrs. Munn and she was apparently dead. Her mouth was open and her eyes closed. I took her to be dead and went home.” The day before Mrs. Munn died, when witness had visited the house. Munn had said that his wife’s heart was beating heavily. He could almost j hear It as he stood near the bed. One of the children had dropped a broom on the back verandah, he added, and Mrs. Munn nearly jumped out of bed. Martin Kiely, supervisor of the operating room in the Post and Telegraph Department in Auckland, produced the original telegram dated February 4 from “Arthur” to Mrs. G. Stuck, Christchurch. It had been handed in at Auckland at 12.20 pan. on February 4. The endorsement on the back of the telegram was “A. Thomas, City.” Witness also produced the original letter telegram dated February 4 and handed in at Christchurch at 5.23 p.m. and addressed “Arthur Thomas, c.o. Post Office, Takapuna,” and signed G. Stuck, c.o. Post Office, Christchurch.” There was also produced the requisition for a money order telegram for £5 payable at Christchurch and dated February 5. The telegram which followed was endorsed “Arthur Thomas, c.o. Post Office, Takapuna,” and the payee was “Mrs. G. Stuck, Christchurch.” Witness also produced the original telegram handed in at Martou and addressed to “Arthur Thomas, c.o. Post Office, Takapuna.” It had been signed “Georgie” and was endorsed “Mrs. G. Stuck.”

Further evidence relating to the dispatch of the telegrams was given by Sidney John Archibald and Robin John Gillibrand, telegraphists. Frederick Melton Fuller, a police constable stationed at Auckland, said he was a watch-house keeper at the Central Police Station. On March S last Munn had been brought to the watch-house on a charge of murder. He was searched and an inventory taken of his property. It was entered on the property sheet and he signed both sheets in the presence of witness, who identified the signatures. The sheets were produced (Exhibit LI. Joseph James Murray, accountant of the Post and Telegraph Department, with an extensive knowledge of handwriting. said he had compared the signatures “Arthur Munn” on the police property sheet, on the original matrimonial advertisement, on the telegram signed Arthur, on the moneyorder requisition signed “Arthur Thomas, Takapuna,” two statements signed Arthur Munn. on the moneyorder telegram. He declared the communications were all written and signed by the same person.

An account of the proceedings during the late afternoon yesterday appears on Page 7*