EXECUTION OF THE MURDERER TE PATI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4852, 5 June 1877, Page 3

EXECUTION OF THE MURDERER TE PATI.

The execution of this Maori oulprit, for the murder of his fellow - prisoner, Samuel Morgan, took place at eight o'clock a.m. on May -3, in Mount Eden Uaol. The circumstances of the man's crime are fresh upou the memories of our readers. He murdered .\lorgau, a European, by tomahawking him in Ngaruawahia Uaol, whilst both were undergoing short sentences of imprisonment ; and escaped from prison, but; was speedily captured. jjmee the commission of the crime, and up to within a few days of his death, Te Pati had apparently been indifferent to his fate. Under the attentive ministrations of the Kev. J. Wallis, the prisoner had however gradually come round to a sense of his awful position. This change of demeauour may be traced back to Momlay week last, wheu the Kev. Air. Wallis assured the prisoner that no hope could bo entertained of mercy being extended towards him by the Crown. He had since that date resigued himself to his fate, and accepted the exhortations of the minister, acknowledging frequently tho justice of his sentence. Previous to his trial Te Pati was visited by his father, Moho, one of the Xyatikoroki tribe who told him that as ho had killed the I'akuha, the I'akeha would kill him, and further exhorted him to obey the rules of the prison. The Uaol authorities assert that he has conducted himself well from the time of his reception until the hour of his execution. Oα the 19th, at his own request, he was baptised iiccordiug to the rites of the Uhurch of England by the Kev. Dr. Mauuscll and the Kev. J. Wallis, in the presence of all the Maori prisoners at the Gaol. Both the rererend gentlemen delivered impressive addresses on the occasion. The Kev. J. Wallis had since attended him regularly and gives assurance that the unfortunate culprit had become penitent. The condemned man retired to rest shortly after six o'clock on the previous night, and, according to the statement of his attendant, s'ept soundly. He aroao at 5.30 next morning and partook of some breakfast and smoked a pipe of tobacco. He then lay down again upon his couch aud slept somewhat restlessly, and occasionally uioam'ng. He was visited for the last time by his spiritual adviser at seven o'clock, aud the remaining hour of his life was spent in devotioual exercise. A quarter of an hour before thu execution Tu Pati expressed a wish that he might be permitted to wear

his own clothes instead of tlu prison suit, and these were brought to him in the condemned cell. It was found, however, that tiie process of unshackling his irons to admit of the change would occupy too. long a time, and the Governor informed him that no delay could then take place. The scaffold was erected iu the usual place in the yard of the penal ward, all the prisoners beiug kept in their cells until after the execution. Shortly before eight a detachment of police arrived, under charge of Sergt.-Major Mason,and were drawn up together with a number of the Gaol ollicials in a line fronting the gallows. The executioner, who lias ollieiated on several previous occasions, was dressed iu a blue guernsey, and slouched hat, having a woman's hair net ovor his face, which failed to conceal his features in any way. He had also the lower parts of his trousers tucked into his socka. The only other persons present were Mr. O'Brien, the Governor of the Gaol; Col. Haultain, the Sheriff; Dr. l'hilson, Dr. Goldsbro', the representatives of the Press, and some workmen.

A few minutes before eight the prison bell tolled forth, and, the process o pinioning having been securely accomplished, the condemned man was brought out of his cell, the Rev. Mr. Wallie. heading the procession, and reading the liurial Service in the Maori language. The prisoner followed, accompanied by Mr. Kicarby, chief warder, and the hangman bringing up the rear. Te Pati walked with a linn and unfaltering step, and ascended the scaffold stairs without hesitation. He wae bare-footed, and attired in prison garments, with the white cap on his head. He was placed upon the drop, beneath the beam, the minister and chief warder having taken up their stations on his left hand aide, the hangman standing in the background. In this position the culprit remained for a few minutes with downcast eyes whilst the Kev. Mr. Wallis continued reading a portion of the Burial Service, the spectators watching with pninful suspense. On a signal being given by the Sheriff, the hangman drew the cap over the doomed man's face and adjusted the rope, having previously securely tied his legs. Having examined the rope approvingly, he drew the bolt, and the drop fell with a loud thud. Although the body fell a distance of fully nine feet, the neck did not seem to bo dislocated, and death did not appear to take place for a space of live minutes. Several of the prison warders assert that they have never witnessed an execution iu which so long a time has elapsed before life was extinct. Previous to his death, Te I'ati stated that he had nothing to communicate beyond acknowledging the justice of his sentence, and assuring his spiritual adviser that he was praying coustantly to Christ. Ifc further expressed a wish that his body, after death, might be delivered up to his relatives ; but this, we believe, will not be deemed advisable by the authorities. Having remained suspended for the accustomed period of one hour, the body was examined by Dr. Philson, who pronounced life extinct. It was then cut down by the executioner and placed in a hhell. An inquest was immediately afterwards held before Dr. Goldabro', within the precincts of the Gaol ; and, on the usual formal evidence being given, the corpse was buried in the penal yard, alongside the grave of Nuteue, the Orakei murderer, and seven other culprits, whose graves are marked by small square stones.

Messrs Gill and Pollard* contractors, have been the successful tenderers for the erection of a new school-house at West Newton. There were elcveu tenders, the highest £(J(JS, tlit: lowest JM-14, that of the successful tenderers. The next in value were