NATAL REVOLT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1749, 15 May 1906, Page 2

NATAL REVOLT.

Bj; telegraph', Pzera Aea’n, Conyrig!

Pietermaritzburg, May lE. Murray Smith’s force at Helpmaka attacked Kula’s tribe on Saturday. Thi killed thirty, wounded number, and oaj tured quantities of cattle. There were .5 Natalese casualties. Natal has accepted .the Transvaal offer to raise and (quip 400 volonte iofaniry, c riled the Natal RaDgers, wi Maxims, as scouting troops. Bix chiefs on the outskirts of Nkundh forest, who offered to assist ths military 1 Dinizulu’s order, dec'ar.- it is impossible c«p ure Bamba-na without much latg native levies.

Dinizu’u is muft ring bis impi punish Bambaata for desecrating Oe 1 wayo’a grave.

THE EXECUTIONS,

Richmond made history to-day (sa a correspondent of the Cape Arg under date April 2), when the mu derers of sub-inspector Hunt- 8.1 Trooper Armstrong were executed. The morning train from Maritzbui to Richmond carried its full compl ment of passengers. These include all the available men of the field fori of the Natal police, to the numb of 160. Shortly after ten o’clock the 12 coi demned men, handcuffed in three were marched up from tho gaol to Cl Magistrate’s Court by a detachers] of police. There was nothing in the appearance to indicate that they we: shortly to pay the penalty as mu derers, Apparently their ages range from something like 50 to youthfu ness.

The scene at the little Richmor Courthouse at half past top. was m calculated to convince one that the ey of the Empire was on it. Tiae~ j manacled murderers occupied the lo n desk-like prisoners’ box, and behii was the detachment of police respoi sible for them. The Court consisted of the militi officers who originally pronounce sentence of death, Colonel Weightoi Colonel Hair, Major Knott, Captai Capstick, and Lieutenant Pybus, wit Lieutenant Raymond as reserve When the Court made its appsaranc the murderers who were to die gav voice to “ Bayete.” There is, by the way, something ti be recorded concerning the last hour of tho prisoners. They have beet allowed to see their womenfolk durinj

tho past few days, and spent last nigh in praying and singing the ole Kolwaj. Nkanda has visibly alteret during the time of his incarceration Originally, he was a fine big native: To-day he was thin and haggard. The demeanor of the prisoners after their “Bayete” to the Court waf apparently one of complete resign,D tion. That of the two youngest almost amounted to unconcern, during the interpreting of Col. Weighton’s Address. The Key. A. J. Fryer, in hie robes, also occupied a position off the magisterial dais. The little room wes crowded to the doors when Colonel Weighton stood up to address the prisoners. Colonel Weighton read tho charge, pointed out that every facility had been given them to prove tlieir guiltlessness, and then read tho verdict of the courtmartial, which had been confirmed by the Governor. Ho dwelt on the heinousness of tho crime.

The prisoners stood it stolidly, and wove again removed to the gaol, from which they were to bo convoyed to the place of execution, half a mile out of the village, by ox-waggon. Down in ths valley just outside the vil age two trenches bad been dug for tho di-posal of the bodies. In front of these six of the condemned men stood. Before them at about 29 paoee, was ths firingline of 30 Natal. police. Two obiefs and perhaps 100 natives who bad been brought in to see the exeoution formed soother side of the Equate, and in front of all was the field force of police, armed, with bayonets fixed.

At twenty minutes to twelve, half the murderors prepared for tbeir death, The local vicar spoke to them for the last time, they were blindfolded and stood with their backs to the rifies. The order was given, and the shots 6f 30 rifles I 'rang out, 1 Bncj simultaneously the six men sank slowly, and were buried immediately. Colonel Riyston delivered an address to the assembled natives, inoludlog the ohief Mskofeli,

After a delay of twenty minutes, owing to the panic of the driyer of the tumbril, who ran away, the second batch took their placos'at the teeneb, and were likewise dieposod’of.