THE LONGHURST CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6667, 31 March 1883, Page 5

THE LONGHURST CASE.

DEPUTATION TO THK GOVERNOR. [BV TEI.SiUKAI'II —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington', Friday. A deputation waited on His Excellency at half-past twelve to-day, and presented a patition for the release of the prisoner Longhurst. Amongst these present were Mr. C. Johnstone, and Mr. \V. Hutcheson, M.H. R's. His Worship the Mayor, and several wellknown citiz -ns. Messrs. Dick andßolleston entered the room with His Excellency. Several members of the deputation addressed His Excelhucy to the effect that such doubt had been thrown on the prisoner's guilt that the "quality of mercy ' should step in. The Goveksok replied : Gentlemen, — Before referring to the petition which you have presented, I wish to remark that in other places, it has been my invariable rule to refuse to receive deputations having for their object the influencing of the Governor or his advisers in a matter relating to the action which he or they may, in the interests of the public, consider it liia or their duty to take concerning sen-t-nces passed by Conrts of law. It is, therefore, not without some hesitation that I

consented to received tliis deputation, though taking all the circumstances into consideration I arrived at the conclusion that it would be advisable to do so. I wish it, however, to bo distinctly understood that my present action is not to be drawn into a precedent. As regards the petition itselt, there are some statements in it tho accuracy of which I am not prepared to admit, and there is one suggestion contained in it to which I must give my unqualified denial. I allude to the paragraph wherein it is suggested that the case of Longluirst was not hilly laid before me before the decision was arrived at which has already been communicated to the previous, petitioners. The fact is that the whole of the evidence given on both trials was printed from the Judge's notes. Both the Government and myself were able to confer unreservedly with the Judges themselves, and there was the fullest opportunity afforded to everyone concerned of deliberately weighing alt the circumstances before arriving at a conclusion on the previous petition respecting this distressing case. It appears to me that the. present petition, except as regards the statement to which I have referred, is, in the main, a reiteration of the points which have already been advanced, and which have bten duly considered. At the same time I need scarcely say that any now and authenticated facto that may be adduced fhall he fully weighed. Gentlemen, your petition, and the representations which you have mide, shall be most carefully considered, both by myself and by my Ministers, and the result of such further deliberations shall be communicated to you."