EXTREME PENALTY OF THE LAW

ROTTMANN HANGED AT THE TERRACE GAOL FOR RUAHINE MURDERS Arthur Rottman, found guilty of and sentenced to death for the murder of M'Oann, dairy-farmer, Lucy Cann, his wife, and John Josepn M Garni (an infant) suffered the extreme penalty of the law at the Terrace Gaol at 8 o'clock yesterday morning. Guarded by a couple of warders—one on either 6ide—and closely followed by. the gaoler and acting-gaoler, the doomed m ?! 1 emerged from the condemned cell, which is quite near to the entrance to ■?i.P nBOU . s arms were tied back with a leather strap, end as his escort moved forward along the corridor, the Sheriff (Mr. W. A. Hawkins), the medioal officer of tho prison (Dr. H. Gilinor), the ohaplaiu, the Rev. J. G. Chapman, and Mr. Edwin Arnold (visiting Justice of the Peace) fell in behind. Rottman's head was ereot, and his shoulders thrown back, and so he marched to the scaffold.

"Have you anything to say before you leave this world ? The question was asked in the low voice of the Sheriff.

' I want to say," said Rottman, in a clear voice, in which only the slightest tremor could be detected, "that 1 know nothing of what I have done to these poor people. lam quite willing to pay the penalty of my crime. It does not appear to me to be a horrible sentence —it is more like a great relief. I will die happy facing the great entrance to a better life, and may God forgive the man that caused my death and a great many more deaths. If this war had never taken place I would still be a free man. I say 'Good-bye' and God be with you till we meet again!"

Rottman had informed the authorities that there would be no trouble as far as he was concerned, and he kept his word. Ho enjoyed a good night's sleep, and did not wake until 6 a.m. A little later he ate a hearty breakfast. The Rev. J. G. Chapman (of the Taranaki Street Methodist Church), who had been attending the , condemned man (who was a Lutheran), visited the cell at about 7.30 a.m., and there a Communion service was held, followed by prayer. After the service, Rottman said to Mr. Chapman: "This is how I feel now," and he recited the following lines :—

"There is a stream of precious blood, Which flowed from Jesu'6 veins, , And sinners plunged beneath that flood

Lose all their guilty stains." These words, a paraphrase of a wellknown Wesleyan hymn, Mr. Chapman asked the prisoner to write out for him, which lie did in a firm, legible hand, attaching his signature to the verse. That was precisely eight minutes before the execution.

A formal inquest was held in tho Prison Office by Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M. Dr. Gilmer testified that death had been instantaneous. . The Magistrate found that death had been caused by hanging. ■

funeral will take place today. The Rev. J. G. Chapman will be the officiating clergyman.