IN THE CONDEMNED CELL.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVI, Issue 49, 30 November 1909, Page 6

IN THE CONDEMNED CELL.

CASE O'E ARTHUR JtOBERTS, Arthur Roberts, now lying under sentence of death in Lytteltou Gaol, at first showed little sign of realisation of the seriousness of his position. Ho stated that someone about the Court, who, he thinks, was in a position to know, told him as ho left the Coul't that he was certain of"a reprieve with commutation of his sentence, if not of a pardon;: and buoyed up with this lie was- at first nonchalant.

But (says a Christchureh correspondent of the 'Dominion') Mr Smaill, our 'excellent missioner, saw him and urged upon hini the great mistake which ho might make if he trusted to such an idea. The earnest remarks of the missioner had weight, and whereas at first he refused to see any clergyman ho has .since shown an anxiety as to the future. He is a Presbyterian and Mr Beatli, the Presbyterian clergyman in Lyttelton', had not seen him at time of writing, but intended to do so on Sunflay, and Roberts shows a disposition to see him. In the meantime his appetite is good and ho sleeps soundly. According to the regulations he receives the ordinary prison fare with such additions as" the gaol surgeon may prescribe. At present these additions are butter and milk. He is never left alone, a warder being always with him day and night.