THE NATAL TROUBLE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 113, 16 May 1906, Page 4

THE NATAL TROUBLE.

EXECUTION OF TWELVE NATIVES

THE SCESE,

Richmond made history to-day (says a correspondent of the Cape Argus under date April 2), when the murderers of SubInspector Hunt and Trooper Armstrong were executed. The morning train from Maritzburg to Richmond carried ite full complement of passengers. These included all the available men of the field force of the Natal police, to the number of 160. Shortly after ten o'clock the 12 condemned men, handcuffed in threes, were marched up from the gaol to the Magistrate's Court by a detachment of police. There was nothing in their appearance to indicate that they were shortly to pay the penalty as murderers. Apparently their ages ranged from something like 50 to youthf ulness. The scene at the little Eichmond Courthouse at half-past 10 was not calculated to convince one that the eye of the Empire was on it. The 12 manacled murderers occupied the long desk-like prisoners' box, and behind was tho detachment of police responsible for them. The Court consisted of the militia officers who originally pronounced sentence of death, Colonel Weighton, Colonel Hair, Major Knott, Captain Capstick, and Lieutenant Pybus, with Lieutenant Raymond as reserve. When the Court made its appearance the murderers who were to die gave voice to " Bayete." There is, by the way, something to be recorded concerning the last hours of the prisoners. They have been allowed to see their women folk during the past few days, and spent last night in praying and singing the old Kolwaj. Nkanda has visibly altered during the time of his incarceration. Originally, he was a fine, big native. To-day he was thin and haggard. The demeanour of the prisoners after their " Bayete " to the Court was apparently one of complete resignation. That of the two youngest almost amounted to unconcern, during the interpreting of Colonel Weighton's address. The Eev. A. J. Fryer, in his robes, also occupied a position on the magisterial dais. The little room was crowded to the doors when Colonel Weighton stood up to address the prisoners. Colonel Weighton read the charge, pointed out that every facility had been given to prove their guiltlessness, and then read the verdict of the court-martial, which had been confirmed by the Governor. He dwelt on the heinousness of the crime.

The prisoners stood ifc stolidly, and were again removed to the gaol, from which they were to be conveyed to fche place of execution, half-a-mile out of the village, by ex-waggon. Down in the valley just outside the village two trenches had been dug for the disposal of the bodies. In front of these six of the condemned men stood. Before them, at about 20 paces, was the firingline of 30 Natal police. Two chiefs and perhaps 100 natives who had been brought in to see the execution formed another side of the square, and in front of all was the field force of police, armed with bayonets fixed.

At twenty jtninute3 to twelve, half the murderers prepared for their death. The local vicar spoke to them for the last time, they were blindfolded and stood with their backs to the rifles. The order was given and the shots of 30 lines rang out, and simultaneously the six men sank slowly and were buried immediately. Colonel Koyston delivered an address to fche assembled natives, including the chief Mskofeli.

After a delay of twenty minutes, owing to the panic of the driver of the tumbril, who ran away, the second batch took their places at the trencli, and were likewise disposed of.