TUHI HANGED

Grey River Argus, 20 April 1923, Page 5

TUHI HANGED

A CONFESSION. WELLINGTON, April 17. John Tuhi, a young Maori, who was sentenced to death for the murder of Herbert Henry Knight at Johnsonville, was executed at the Terrace Gaul this morning. The condemned man was quiet and calm, and walked to the scaffold, where he thanked the gaol officials and a priest for their kindness and attention. It is understood that Tuhi left a statement regarding the crime, which clears •up the matter. LATER. Tuhi in a .statement witnessed by Gaoler Scanlon, made a full confession of the crime. He said:— “I am guilty of the crime for which I have been condemned. As lam about to pass into eternity, I realise the awful nature of the crime of murder, I cannot explain the motive that prompted me to do the awful deed. Some demon must have taken possession of me. No one else is guilty. I alone am to I blame. Ali the accusations I made against unknown persons are untrue; : also all I said about the treatment met* ed out to me by the detectives is likewise untrue. The only reparation I can make is first of all to make this confession of mine to the public.’’ Tuhi asks the public not to think too harshly of him, but to remember that he was a native with different ideas and dispositions from the Pakelia. and to consider his surroundings and upbringing. TUHI’S CONFESSION. THE FULL PARTICULARS. WELLINGTON, April 19. The confession made by John Tuhi, prior to his execution, and referred to by him this morning, was in the following terms: —“I am guilty of the crime for which I have been condemned. As I am about to pass into Eternity, I realise the awful nature ot the crime of murder. I cannot explain the motive that prompted me to do the awful deed. Some, demon must have taken possession of me. No one else is guilty. 1 alone am to blame. All “the accusations 1 have made against an unknown person are untrue, also ail I said about the treatment meted out to me by detectives is likewise untrue. The only reparation I can make is first of all, to make this confession of my guilt to the public. 1 accept my execution as the only act of atonement I can make to God, whom I have outraged. 1 offer every step I take from my cell to the gallows as a further act of reparation for my crime, 1 place my hope of mercy and forgiveness in the sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Throughout my life, my knowledge of religion was very little. I had not the comfort and help which it gives. If 1 had been brought up differently, in the tear and love of God, I would have led a different life, and would not have been in the position in which 1 find myself to-day. Tho knowledge of God and the practice of religion, 1 feel sure, are ths? only means to keep one from sin ami crime. I publicly thank God for bringing me to the knowledge of His love and mercy, even in these last days of my life. Again, I am heartily sorry and deeply regret my awful crime, and I ask the public not to think too harshly of me, but to remember that I am a Native with different ideas and dispositions from the pakeha, and to consider my surroundings and upbringing. In conclusion, I throw myself into tho arms of the merciful God, fully i trusting in His pardon and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ. May God give me courage to meet my end with Christian resignation, and may He, in His great love, have mercy on my poor soul. Farewell!” (Signed) “John Tuhi. ’ ’