LAST SCENE IN MUNN DRAMA

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1036, 29 July 1930, Page 1

LAST SCENE IN MUNN DRAMA

PRISONER HANGED THIS MORNING BRAVE AND COMPOSED TO THE END STATEMENT WRITTEN FOR THE PRESS AT 8 o’clock this morning the State took Arthur Thomas Munn from his cell to the gallows of Mount Eden prison and there carried out the death sentence. Speaking from the scaffold, Munn, who was calm and self-possessed, and who spoke clearly, asked that a written statement he had handed to the prison authorities early this morning, be given to the Press for publication. He also requested that his eyes be left uncovered.

The execution •was -witnessed by IS people. The only two unofficial visitITS were Mr. E. Norman Torry, an English novelist, and Major J. HopeJohnstone, J.P. The burial service ras read by Staff-Captain Holmes, of the Salvation Army, who led the way from the condemned man's cell to the place of execution. The Rev. Jasper Calder, City Missioner, and the Rev. G. E. Moreton, assistant-City Missioner, were also present together, with Mr. C. J. Hewlett, registrar of the Supreme Court at Auckland, Mr. J Dlckison, superintendent of the prison. Dr. C. H. Tewsley, prison doctor, Mr. C. E. Anderson, chief clerk of the prison, Mr. C. E. Spittai, chief warder, and other prison officials. The condemned man was removed at 7.30 o’clock from the quarters he has been occupying in the front of the prison and placed in the condemned cell, 100 paces from the gallows. He ate a hearty supper last evening and slept well, and at 6 o’clock this mori* ing ate a breakfast consisting of porridge and poached eggs on toast. At exactly three minuteß to eignt this morning the sheriff marched to the condemned man’s cell, knocked on the door and demanded “The body of Arthur Thomas Munn, sentenced to death for murder.’’ The grim words echoed down the prison corridor and the officials were hushed by the dread portent of the worda that spelt doom for the con deemed man. Munn’s arms were pinioned In the cell by the executioner and he waa led forth to take his last journey in this life. LAST RITES READ Staff-Captain Holmes began to read the last rites and the rest of the pro cession fell in behind Munn and the prison officials on the dreary march. Munn was erect and calm. He leaked as though he had passed many sleepless nights. His face was pale Me walked without a tremor, and climbed unaided the steps to the scat fold. His courage was remarkable. His arms were pinioned to his sides hy strong leather thongs and he interlaced his fingers in front of his body. He was dressed in ordinary prison garb— whito moleskin trousers and a light cotton shirt, open at the neck. The top of the scaffold was “*a temporary steel structure. The lQwer portion was entirely covered by canvas. Over the doomed man was ssapended the rope, supported by four Steel girders. . . I? 9 execut ioner strapped Munn’s ankles together with leather thongs. JUim now looked desperately ill; but remained calm and unmoved. The noose of tho rope was widened slightly *#'i placed around his neck. The Rev. j,“P er Calder, who was on the platown, shook hands with the condemned “*h- It was almost time. PRISONER’S LAST WORDS Then the sheriff’s voice rang out. nave you anything to say, Munn?’’ Speaking clearly, Munn said: “1 mails my last request to the fk? er '” Me paused a moment and *-ca went on. “I ask that the small ■jatement that I made at 1 o’clock morning be handed to the Press Wws published." T»*re was another pause and Munn ®wturoed: “I request that the whue not placed over my eyes ’’ Those were his last words on earth, at eiecution er glanced inquiringly ** the sheriff, who stood on the pavo—below. out the rules," said the j ‘ TMe executioner stepped for'■**4 and pulled the white cap, which vj* °P« n on the left-hand side, over *®ma face. Munn remained steady erect. The executioner stepped a~s,t° the lever that released the »Mo° r . The sheriff nodded and fo'er was pulled. With a metallic msh the trap-door opened • . . ,J° r a few moments the watchers with bowed heads, and then Dr. , Tewsley walked forward, and t * lat Munu had been killed remntly. The body was left hanging, ® the party filed back silently into .® Wlson, oppressed by the grimifossed* the sight they i ust witInterviewed by reporters, Mr. J Wd tk°“’ au P €rin tendent of the prison. tl» hu ls far as any statement writl , Dy Munn was concerned, it would JSl® .to be forwarded to the author!Wellington. He would not jymment further. It was later stated had handed in his written in** 111 about six o’clock this morn tmf’, ana hot at one o’clock, as he had si. 00 1118 scaffold. v* Munn was admitted to the Uki. k®** gained weight. He had C* , Avery thing quietly, and had l_, n a httle trouble, though he had been *Mgfht and day by those whose shun* '’a® to hand him over to the tor execution. KJlSfc'fc'

A visit was paid after the execution to the room he had occupied. On the table lay the draughts with which he played, and a bottle of ink. On the shelves were, a few books of adventure, together with a number of magazines. One or two religious pamph lets were lying about. Munn’s body must remain in the prison for eight hours, and may then be claimed for burial by his relatives At nine o'clock an inquest was opened by Mr. F. K. Hunt at the gaol, and a verdict was returned that the death of Arthur Thomas Munn was caused by a complete fracture of the vertebrate column, resulting upon the carrying out of sentence of death in accord with law, and under a warrant given under the hand of tho GovernorGeneral on July 23.