MUNN IN TEARS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 978, 22 May 1930, Page 12

MUNN IN TEARS

OVERCOME BY EMOTION AT TRIAL YESTERDAY’S PROCEEDINGS Dramatic incident-, marked the conclusion of four hours’ examination, in the Supreme Court yesterday. of Arthur Thomas Munn, on trial on a charge of wife-murder. In the witnessbox. the accused, in recounting his wife’s last hours, and incidents just after her death, was so overcome with emotion several times that he could not answer his counsel’s questions immediately. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr. V, R. Meredith, with him. Mr. McCarthy, conducted the prosecution and Mr. E. H. Northcroft and Mr. Munro represented the accused. The examination of Munn was continued in the afternoon in the presence of a crowded court. Munn said that he did not see Mrs. Stuck until the evening his wife died. On. the following Thursday he again saw Mrs. Stuck. By this time his mother-in-law and his sister-in-law were in Auckland, and wanted to take the children, but he was not prepared to part with them. He asked his mother-in-law and sister-iu-law to stay while he couid make arrangements, and although they stated they would remain that night, they did not do so. He was then left in the position of having no woman in the house to take care of them,. and he went to Mrs. Stuck and invited her to come to see the children.

Mr. Northcroft: Up to this, time had there been any discussion about Mrs. Stuck coming to your house in any capacity?—None whatever. On the Saturday, said Munn, he received a letter-card from Mrs. Stuck, who said she could come, and would do so that night. Mr. Northcroft: When you were interviewed by the detectives, had you received the message from Mrs. Stuck?—Yes, two hours previously. And did you say you would have no "damned housekeepers”?—That 13 uutrue. WEEK BEFORE ARREST When did the discussion with Mrs. Stuck about marriage occur? —About a week before my arrest? “We were talking of marriage in general. Mrs. Stuck, told me she had had two offers of marriage from men she thought a good deal of. One had asked her at least half a dozen times. She said she didn’t think she would get married again as her first marriage was not a success. More by way of banter than anything else i said: ‘What about me,’ and I said the children seemed to have taken kindly to her. ‘Yes.’ she replied, ‘and I’ve taken an interest in them.’ “You can see my position,” he replied. “Nine out of ten people will say we are living together immorally and with the two little girls, if I don’t have a woman in the house; they will say I’m not being fair to the children. Even if I get married within the 12 months, Mother Grundv will have it against me for that.” Mrs. Stuck said she didn't think she would ever get married again. I don t think we should discuss these matters, as the inquest is not yet finished and we should not be talking of these matters until Christmas at least,” he replied. Mrs. Stutk suggested that he should look round at other women first before settling on her. and witness said he told her he thought enough of her to marry her. “I passed a remark that I noticed she was not wearing her wedding ring, and she produced ft from her bag. I jokingly took it and said “I'll keep that till I get you one.” “I did not think any more of the ring until I went to bed that night and found it in my pocket, and as Mrs. Stuck had gone to bed I put it in the jewel drawer of a chest and never thought about it again.” Marriage was never under discussion between them.

CATS KEPT FOR RATS Since he had lived at Nortncote there had always been rats about the place more or less, said witness, and he kept five cats to keep the rodents down. The fowlhouses were particularly infested with rats, which- were very troublesome in 1928, when they got into the chicken-run and burrowed under the concrete. Flooding the holes out and blocking them up with glass failed to stop the inroads of the rats. Munn said he first used a rat poison but it was not satisfactory. The rats took it for a while. “I went to Mr. Johnson, chemist,” said witness, “and asked him what poison I should use.” He said “strychnine,” and witness purchased a quantity which he boiled with grain and placed it on papers. He placed unpoisoned and poisoned grain side by side and found the rats took the unpoisoned wheat. Later he returned to the same chemist and on the latter’s recommendation bought a bottle of liquid poison, the nature of which he did not know. The chemist instructed him to “tip the lot down the cat’s throat, and that it will kill in about half a minute.” “The chemist asked me how I got on with the other poison, and I Said it was a failure because it was too bitter. I had tasted it.” said witness. “I asked whether if I mixed it with syrup would it get over the difficulty, and the chemist said it would,. Talking of the bitterness of strychnine, the chemist said that one part in 1,000 was very bitter.” WIFE KNEW ABOUT POISON Munn said that the strychnine was made up in a paper packet, bearing a poison label. He transferred the balance of.the strychnine to a bottle also the label. He did this because he thought it was much safer. His wife knew all about the purchase of the poison and had seen him mix lc with the grain, and saw him put the balance in the bottle and leave it in the pantry. “1 told her what the bottle contained and she saw where I put the bottle in the pantry.” Mr. Northcroft: How long before your wife's illness was it that you last saw the bottle?—a week or 10 days. When did you first learn the bottle had gone from the shelf?—When the detectives found it in the bedroom. Were you surprised to find it gone?— Certainly. On February 12, when he made the statement to the police, Munn said he told and showed Detective Doyle the other poison he had used for rats. Detective Doyle said. “We are not worrying about that.” Mr. Northcroft: Generally. what was your wife's health?—Quite all right. She had a miscarriage 12 months before but he did not know what brought it on. he said. On the evening of February 3. after attending a City theatre, he and his wif* had to hurry to catch the boatl

and she wm exhausted and he had to assist her. His wife mentioned that the running might have a certain effect on her. He and his wife woke at six o’clock next morning. She remarked she had a headache. “I asked her what it was.” said Munn, and she replied that she supposed it was a natural event, and she would have to take something to secure a result. He then went to feed the fowls, and could not remember going into the house until his wife called him for breakfast. After he had been in the house a while, Munn said his wife said her head seemed to be getting worse instead of better. She then said she was beginning to feel giddy. He told her to lie down while he got breakfast. As far as he knew his wife had had nothing to eat or drink or any purgative medicine. “I’ll be all right directly,” Mrs. Munn said when told to sit down. A few minutes later, she said “My legs begin to feel weak.” “I got up from my chair and tooki hold of her and told her to sit up in the chair,” Munn went on. “She flopped down and started to tremble.” He sent for Mrs. Gill and then went for the doctor. He had never seen his wife in a similar condition before and was much alarmed and went straight to the doctor’s in his car. He wanted the doctor to return with him, but was informed the medical man would follow. On returning home, he and Mrs. Gill assisted Mrs. Munn to bed, some of her clothes being eased. The doctor arrived 20 minutes later. Mr. Northcroft: From the time the attack started until the doctor arrived, how long was it? —Twenty-five minutes. Dr. Dudding took Mrs. Munn’s blood pressure and outside the room told witness Mrs. Munn had blood pressure. Witness held the basin while the doctor drew off blood from Mrs. Munn. and told witness to throw the liquid away. WHAT THE DOCTOR SAID Mr. Northcroft: When the doctor was there did Mrs. Munn seem inclined to give him information?—l answered the questions because she did not seem anxious to answer. Munn said that, the doctor ordered his wife to stay in bed and rest, to which she objected. The doctor further stated that if she did not remain in bed it might mean six weeks in hospital. The witness did not credit Dr. Dudcling with making this statement seriously, and witness agreed he might have opened the subject. It however settled the argument whether his wife should remain in bed. The docto.r prescribed medicine and salts. As the doctor was leaving, he told witness that. Mrs. Munn had blood pressure and if she had not had a stroke it was so near to being one it did not matter. The doctor did not say definitely when he would return. He then got Mrs. Lydiard to look after his wife while he went to town to pay the State Advances Department. His wife seemed quite all right in the afternoon and tried to darn socks, but complained of her eyes. In the evening his wife seemed nervous and restless and witness visited the doctor because he thought Mrs. Munn would not be able to sleep. He obtained some tablets from the doctor, and when these were administered his wife went to sleep in an hour.

On Wednesday morning and early in the afternoon his wife seemed ail right, though later she seemed restless. So long as she lay quiet she was alt right but if she moved about she started to get trembly. “I thought it was nervousness more than anything else.” witness added. Mrs. Brown visited the house that afternoon and he warned her not to tell Mrs. Munn what was wrong with, her and that Mrs. Munn thought she had kidney trouble and not to excite her. He told Mrs. Brown no visitors were allowed to see her. NERVOUS AT NIGHTS That evening, Mrs. Munn seemed nervous, and witness waited until Mrs. Brown arrived before leaving for a meeting. When he returned about 10.30 p.m., his wife seemed all right and pacified when he spoke to her. On Thursday morning Mrs. Munn seemed to be quite contented and comfortable. His Honour: Did she sleep well the previous night?—Yes. Continuing, Munn said that because the doctor had not visited Mrs. Munn on Wednesday he called at the doctor’s house to ensure the doctor called that day. The woman attendant said the doctor had Mrs. Munn’s name on his list and she was sure the doctor would call. Mrs. Munn became nervous on Thursday evening. Mr. Northcroft: Was it a general condition that she was quiet in the mornings and was nervous toward even ing?—Yes; that was the condition right through. In conversation with Dr. Dudding, witness said he was told by the doctor the blood pressure was the same

and it would take some time to decrease. When he told the doctor that Mrs. Brown had informed Mrs. Munn she was suffering from blood pressure the doctor impressed upon him the necessity of keeping all visitors out. QUARREL WITH NEIGHBOUR His wife was sitting up in bed seemingly well on Friday morning. In the afternoon, witness came into the house and saw Mrs. Brown leaving by the front door. Mrs. Munn was very upset and said she had quarrelled with Mrs. Brown over the children and their dresses. The children had been playing in the bathroom, and one girl had slipped into the bath and the dye from the child’s dress had run over the white quilt and a pillow-sham. Mrs. Munn told him that she did not think Mrs. Brown would come back as she had practically ordered her out. Mrs. Munn was much shaken about the incident. On Saturday morning Mrs. Munn was all right, but she was upset in the afternoon when he was served with a summons. He obtained the second lot of medicine that day. The doctor had previously informed him that, he might change the medicine, but eventually agreed to repeat it. He said he was positive that he obtained the second bottle of medicine on Saturdaj-, the bottle being left at an adjoining shop for him to call. He paid for the medicine on the Monday. A discussion with Dr. Dudding on the palpitation suffered by Mrs. Munn was nest detailed by Munn. Severe palpitation occurred during nervous turns, he said, and when he asked the doctor how- to relieve it he was advised to apply cold water in a bag to the heart. The doctor also agreed thaj cold water cloths could be used. When the palpitation was bad Mrs. Munn could be given an extra dose of medicine, the doctor said. His wife experienced a good night the night before her death, Munn said. He worked in his workshop on an order he had to finish until 1 a.m., but frequently visited his wife during this time. Mrs. Munn was asleep when lie returned to the house, but while he was making himself supper, she asked ,

for a drink. He gave k*r milk and water, together with some bread and butter, which he did not think she ate. After he sot into bed, his wife started talking of a natural event which she said was overdue, and she added that when this occurred she would soon get well. “I want you to promise me something,” Mrs. Munn said to witness, who replied: ‘‘lt depends what it ils.” “I want you to promise me you will not let me go to hospital,” continued Mrs. Munn. “So far as I am concerned you need not go, but if the doctor orders it you will have to go,” Munn said he told his wife. “I would sooner die than go to hospital,” Mrs. Munn replied, according to accused. Munn added that when he suggested

getting a nurse, his wife said she did not want one. At 3 o’clock in the morning, Munn said his wife awakened him and then remarked that she had dreamed she had had twins. He said he told his wife she was worrying about a certain event, which she denied, but added that she was determined to bring a certain result on. BECAME JUMPY In the morning about 7 o'clock, Mrs. Munn woke him. She said she would not have done so, only the children were up and Doreen had been crying. She told him he had better go anil feed the fowls which he did. When he returned Mrs. Munn asked if she would have to take salts that morning, but witness replied they were ordered by the doctor. He gave her half a teaspoonful of salts instead of a full teaspoon, but he was unable to say whether she drank them. Mrs Munn then asked for orange juice, which he gave her in a cup. Shortly afterward his wife called him from the kitchen and asked him to stay with her. “Why, you seem all right?” Munn said he asked his wife. “Yes,” she replied, “but I'm afraid I’m going to have a turn.” Shortly she started to tremble and then became jumpy. The convulsion lasted a short time and then she seemed quite easy. Mr. Northcroft: Did you do anything to relieve her? —Y’es; when she asked me to stay with her I said I was going to get the doctor, but she said she did not want the doctor. Munn said he brought a bowl of water, which, during the convulsion, he tried to apply to the heart, but she would not allow this, saying it made her worse, She held on to my hand and asked me not to leave her,” said witness. “I’ll be all right in a minute; I don't want the doctor,” Mrs? Munn said, according to Munn. The convulsion came ou more severely, Munn continued, and he dipped his hands into the water and let it drip on to the region of the heart. After some time, his wife seemed to become semi-conscious, lay very still and seemed exhausted. He applied cold water to the heart and she revived, saying: “Are you there? Are you there, Dad?” Uttering the last words Munn showed signs of restraining his emotion with difficulty and continued after regaining his composure. ' I took her hand and assured her I was there. She again said “Don’t leave me,” he continued. Mrs. Munn was lying quiet and exhausted when the doctor arrived and

the latter said they- would have to change her clothes. They had difficulty in changing the clothes, Mrs. Munn protesting the while. The doctor left after an hour, Mrs. Munn. who had been given a drug hypodermically, beign then practically asleep. “The doctor and I were standing at the foot of the bed when the convulsion came on,” Munn proceeded. “My wife started to tremble, and the doctor said, ‘I don’t think she is trying to control it.’ The doctor told Mrs. Munn she must not give way and to try to control herself. He held her arms and the convulsion, seemed to become more serious.” Munn added that he stood on the opposite side of the bed to which Els wife was lying. The doctor asked during the convulsion whether Mrs. Munn had gone on like that on the previous Tuesday and he replied “Yes.” The doctor also drew attention to the arching of the back, and witness said he had not seen it before. After the convulsion Mrs. Munn seemed to lay quiet and collapse. Munn said he remained with his wife after the- doctor left until she went to sleep, and during his visits to the room he noticed she did not change her position. “On one occasion I thought her pulse did not seem very strong,” said Munn, and I put my ear to her heart and listened to it beating. I thought I could detect a weakening in the pulse and as the face was very flushed I decided to go. for the doctor. I could see the pulse beating in the neck quite distinctly when I left:” ASKED NEIGHBOUR

Munn said he went out intending to get Mrs. Lydiard to stay with his wife while he went for the doctor but he saw the neighbour across the road and asked her to come in. He walked behind Mrs. Lydiard to the bedroom door, he said, and told her not to allow the children in. “The pulse seemed to be weakening and I did not like the look of my wife's face.” “When I got back to the room,” be gan Munn Here be was overcome with emotion Mr. Northcroft: When you got back your wife was dead? “I thought she must be,” replied witness brokenly, in a low voice. When the doctor told you your wife was dead, did you break down? “No,” replied Munn, in distress. “Why?” asked counsel. “I thought of the children,” added witness, wiping his eyes with a handkerchief. Munn said the children were in the next room and he wanted to keep their mother's death from them. He took steps to have the children taken from the house immediately, he said. Munn said he had a discussion with the doctor concerning the date of the funeral, suggesting it should be delayed to allow his wife's relatives to arrive in Auckland for the funeral, the doctor agreeing it should be delayed a day. Continuing, Munn said he immediately sent a wire to his wife's people and then telephoned his wife’s cousin to take the children. When down at the waterfront he found he had forgotten to put on a collar and returned to the house for one. He was not surprised to find Dr. Dudding in the house, as he had asked him to fix up things. He got a collar off the dining room table, he said. While in the house the doctor asked him for some cotton-wool, which he handed over, entering the bedroom to do so. He was not more than five minutes in the house. Munn said the dishes that would be in his wife's room at the time of her death were plates for grapes, peaches and nectarines, a cup of water that was always by her and the cup in which she had milk and water the night b«£oi%. TUer* wwtUh he

! cups in which the orange juice, mediJ cine and salts had been given. Proceeding. Munn said that after taking the children to town he rej turned and met Mrs. Lydiard. Mr. Northcroft: Mrs. Lydiard savs I you told her your wife had had ’ a ! very bad night and she had been ; clinging to you all night?—l said my wife had had a bad turn, and that ray ; wife had been clinging to me, but not : all night. i When Mrs. Lydiard sympathised with him on his wife’s death. Mu in said he broke down after having managed to keep up while he looked after the children. | "sha hMrinjg than adjaiiraa4.