ARRIVAL OF THE STORM BIRD FROM WANGANUI, TARANAKI, AND AUCKLAND.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2346, 10 April 1866, Page 7

ARRIVAL OF THE STORM BIRD FROM WANGANUI, TARANAKI, AND AUCKLAND.

The Storm Bird armed here yesterday afternoon, bringb^ oue day's later dates from Auckland, and papers from Wanganui and Taranaki to the sth and 7tli insts. AUCKLAND. THE 11UKDEK8 OF VOi-KNEK AND FULLOON. — FOUB MEN SENTENCED TO DEATH. The Herald of the stk inst. says :— Four men convicted of this dreadful crime were yesterday sentenced by his Honor the Chiei Justice to be hanged. Their names are— Mokomoko, Heremitu, Hakaraia, and Penetito, the latter being recommended to mercy. Paora, who was tried on the charge of being a principal in the murder, was acquitted, but also indicted for being an accessory before the fact, us were also the other prisoners. Mr. Brookfield informed the Court that it was the wish of the prosecution to withdraw the other indictment, as no additional evidence could be found to implicate Paora. Paora was therefore discharged by the Judge, with an impressive admonition. In passing sentence, his Honor having assumed the black cap said : Mokomoko, Hcreniita, Kahupaea, Hakaraia te Hahui, and Penetito, you severally stand convicted of the awful murder of Carl Sylvius Volkner. You, Penetito, have been recommended by the jury to mercy. I shall forward that recommendation to His Excellency the Governor, and considering your youth, I shall myself humbly entreat the Governor that lie may be pleased to extend towards you that royal mercy which the Queen entrusts to him, and to him alone, so that your life may be spared. The Governor will be informed of what Mr. Grace has this day said. But to you Mokomoko, Heremita, and Hakaraia, I dare not hold out a hope of mercy. The murder of which you are found guilty was perpetrated on a meek man, a prophet of the one true God, and was attended with atro cities which have brought disgrace upon the Maori name. I will not describe those - cruelties from this judgment seat. You ]<now them, for you took part in them, and already all good Maories disown both this murder and the chief actors in it. However, this is not a time for reproach. My duty is not to reproach you for the sin of your lives, but to bid you prepare to meet your death, The sentence of the law upon you, and upon each of you, for this your offence, is, that you be severally taken hence to the public gaol at Mount Eden, and there that you be severally hanged by the neck until you are dead ; and may the Lord have mercy on your souls. The speech of his Honor and the sentence were repeated in Maori by Mr. Preece. The countenances of the men condemned asBurned a fixed and despairing look ; the others were perfectly quiet. STACK TO BE EXECUTED. By the mail from Wellington yesterday, Mr. Tuckwell, the gaoler, received instructions to the effect that the sentence of death, passed upon James Stack for wilful murder, would take effect. The sentence is to be carried into execution on Saturday. This is the result we anticipated. It would simply bo a premium to crime, were such men as Stack respited by the clemency of the Crown. — Southern Cross, April 15th. There is no intelligence of importance from Taranaki and Wanganui.