EXECUTION OF HIROKI.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 259, 9 June 1882, Page 2

EXECUTION OF HIROKI.

Hiroki, condemned to death for the murder of J. McLean, was hanged yesterday morning at New Plymouth gaol. The following particulars are condensed from the Taranaki Herald : — Last night Hiroki enjoyed a quiet, natural sleep, but on awaking this morning the recollection of his solemn position distressed him, and he wept freely. He recovered his composure afterwards, and assumed quite a cheerful disposition. He was visited by Archdeacon Govett some time before the execution, and waa engaged in spiritual exercises up to tbe time he was taken from his cell. Archdeacon Govett read the burial service in the Maori language in a most impressive manner. Before the last words were uttered, the drop fell, and Hiroki disappeared from sight. It was done so suddenly that no one heard anything to denote that the last moment had arrived. There was no pause, and tho service scorned scarcely completed when Hiroki fell. Hiroki scarcely moved a muscle during the time he stood on the scaffold, aftor everything had been arranged by the executioner, nor did he utter a word. At the inquest which was held at 10 a.m., Dr. O'Carroll deposed : lam gaol surgeon. I have this morning witnessed the death, by hanging, of Hiroki. At the cutting down of the body, after it had been hanging one hour and five minutes, I examined it. I found that death had taken placo by asphyxia, produced by paralysis. The neck was fractured and dislocated. The spiual cord was ruptured, and death had taken place from the brain. The hoart pulsated vigorously for twenty-five minutes after tho fall. I knew the deceased. Tho body is that of Wiromu Hiroki. The usual formal evidence was given by the Sheriff and the gaol officials, and the jury returned a verdict to the effect that Hiroki had met his death in duo course of law by being hanged by the neck until he was dead.