FATE OF TAHI KAKA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14708, 16 June 1911, Page 6

FATE OF TAHI KAKA.

THE PETITION FOR REPRIEVE.

HANDED TO THE GOVERNOR.

TO BE CONSIDERED TO-DAY.

Another step towards the carrying out of the sentence of death passed on the Maori youth Tahi Kaka, condemned for the murder of John Freeman, a gumdigger, at Puhipuhi, was taken yesterday. The hangman appointed for the execution and the gallows requisite for tho purpose if the reprieve being sought should not be granted arrived in Auckland from Wellington by the Main Trunk train in the morning. No date, however, has yet been fixed for the execution. Our Wellington correspondent states that there were several applicants for the position of hangman.

His Excellency the, Governor (Lord Islington) was asked last night it he hail anything to say with reference to tho case, and be declined to make any statement. The petitions that have been prepared in favour of the reprieve of Tahi Kaka will be considered at a special sitting of the Executive Council to bo held in Wellington to-day. A deputation, consisting of Bishop Crossley, the Rev. E. J. Hawkins, and Messrs. C. J. Tunics and W. E. Hackett. waited on the Governor at Government House last night and presented tho petition for the reprieve of Tahi Kaka. J hero were 11,500 names attached to the petition. It was originally intended to present the petition to-day, but as Lord Islington left for Wellington last night it was decided to hand him the petition personally before he left, although a number of lists had not. been collected. It has been arranged to telegraph the remaining figures to Wellington to-day before the meeting of the Executive Council. For this purpose lists may be left at the Diocesan Office or the office of Mr. W. E. Hackett before three p.m. to-day. The Standing Committee of the Anglican Diocese of Auckland yesterday afternoon passed a resolution of sympathy with the prayer of the petition for the reprieve of Kaka. The question was discussed at a largelyattended open-air meeting at Grey Statue last night. Tho meeting was addressed by Mr. Win. Richardson, and on his motion a resolution was carried expressing the opinion that the ends of justice would be best served by a reprieve, for the following reasons: —-(1)" Because the jury strongly recommended him to mercy. (2) That as the prisoner being a minor could not be sued for debt, soiu like manner it would bo unfair to place the full responsibility of his crime on his shoulders. (3) That being a Maori ho should not be expected to have tho same idea of morality and tho sanctity of human life as the better-educated Europeans. (4) That but for his confession it would not have been possible to have convicted him. If now hung other prisoners in the future will refuse to make any confessions and so will in some instances eludo justice.