EXECUTION TURNED INTO AN INQUIRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14972, 20 April 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

EXECUTION TURNED INTO AN INQUIRY.

A sronr in tho article in tho February Blackwood entitled "From the Outposts," makes us realise the fearful difficulty of administering justice in remote places in Africa, and how great is the strain upon the official who has not only to bo judge, but public prosecutor as well. Tho writer in tho present instance tells us how he had to investigate a case of the murder of an Englishman, and how the evidence proved a certain man to be. guilty. )■ Before the sentence could bo carried out it had to be referred to headquarters a matter of many weeks. During the period of waiting, tho prisoner, who always declared his innocence, turned his attention to gardening, and grew excellent vegetables for his judge. At last the confirmation of the sentence arrived and the judge was put in the unpleasant position of having to hang his efficient gardener. On tho way to the execution the judge discovered that everyone knew that the prisoner was innocent, and that the murder had been oommitted by someone else; the fact was so Well-known that everyone supposed thai the judge knew it, too, though no one had ever enlightened him. That he was about to carry out the sentence was attributed to the fact that the white ants had eaten the cabbages under the charge. : ■ So the execution was turned into an inquiry and a free pardon was granted in duk course. . : :