THE PETONE TRAGEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10423, 22 April 1897, Page 5

THE PETONE TRAGEDY.

EXECUTION OF BOSHER.

CONFESSION OF GUILT.

Wellington, Wednesday. Boshek, the Frenchman sentenced to death for the murder of Mr. and Mrs. Jones, at Petone, last year, was executed at eight o'clock this morning. About 7.60 a.m. the condemned man, accompanied by Mr. Cooper (sheriff), Mr. Garvey (gaoler), the Rev. Father Ainsworth, who had been attending him, Dr. Martin, and warders, walked from the cell to the scaffold, which was erected in about the centre of the gaol. The only other spectators were the press representatives, Dr. Cahill, and four civilians.

The prisoner climbed the stairs to the scaffold with a firm step, and stood erect on the trap. After prayers, Bosher, in a voice which betrayed but little emotion, thanked Mr. Garvey, Warder Millington, the Rev. Father, and all those who had been attendant on him Bines sentence was passed for their kindness to him, Referring to those who spoke in his favour and against him, lie said he forgave all, and urged them to put their faith in God. Bosher made no confession on the scaffold, neither did he make any protestation of innocence, but it was understood a statement had been left in the hands of the gaoler. At eight o'clock exactly the bolt was drawn by the hangman, tho trap-door fell down, and Bosher was hanged, death being practically instantaneous. His neck was broken. Nothing occurred to interfere with the execution.

At the usual inquest held after the body had been cut down the customary verdict was returned that Bosher had been duly hanged in accordance with the sentence passed upon him. Prior to his execution, Bosher made a confession to tho gaoler, the text being as follows

Terrace Gaol, April 10. —I am guilty of tho crime for which I am sentenced to death, and take my death as punishment for all the evils and sins I have committed in my life. I had left my God and my church, but thanks be to God, while in prison Ho has sent me two friends who have brought me back to my senses, to Himself, and to His church,and Ino enjoy all the consolatlou (hat a Christian can have. I havo a bright future and a bright hope, and I have tire firm belief that God lias forgiven my sins, and that His salvation is for me. This is to be used by Mr. Garvey after my death in any way or form he thinks fit, publicly or privately, or keep it to himself.—(Signed) Stephen Bosher.

Then follows a foot note This is a free will statement, without being asked, or without coercion whatever, as nobody in this prison ever asked me a question in any way. Ido it for my own welfare in the world to come.—Stephen Bosher. An application was made for permission to take a plaster cast of the face of Bosher, after his execution, bub the authorities refused permission. Christohurch, Wednesday, Mr. Wilford, who was counsel for Shore, the man charged with the Petone murder, and subsequently discharged, states that a petition is to be presented to Parliament, praying for compensation, tho principal ground being that the police, with vory little inquiry, could have ascertained that be could not have committed the crime.