EXECUTION OF PRICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22147, 28 June 1935, Page 13

EXECUTION OF PRICE

HAWKE'S BAY MURDER PRISONER'S LAST HOURS DEATH WITHOUT STATEMENT [by telkgraph—press association] WELLINGTON, Thursday Sentenced to death for the murder of Evelyn Mary Madden at Argyll East, Hawke's Bay, on February 6. Charles William Price, aged 44, teamster, paid the extreme penalty of the law in the Wellington prison to-day. Price was executed at 8 a.m., death being instantaneous. He walked firmly from his cell to the scaffold, and on bc'ing asked by the sheriff, Mr. W. \A . Samson, if he had anything to say before the sentence was carried into effect he almost shouted "No." The procession to the scaffold, which was erect-ed in the prison yard a few feet from the condemned cell, comprised the Rev. Father M. Uhlenberg, the sheriff, the deputy-sheriff, Mr. E. G. Rhodes, the superintendent of the prison, Mr. J. Down, the prison medical officer, the prisoner and warders, press representatives and a few others.

Price needed no assistance, his emotion being betrayed only by a slight trembling just before the end. His last words, addressed to the priest, were, "Good-bye, Father." The usual inquest was held at the prison, the coroner returning a verdict that the prisoner had been executed in accordance with the law. Ihe body was not claimed by relatives, and it was buried this afternoon by the State.

The Union Jack was flown on one of the prison flag poles early this morning, and immediately the execution took place, a black flag was displayed from an adjoining flag pole. An hour after the execution the black flag was taken down, but the Union Jack continued to fly for a further hour, signifying the supremacy of the King. The prisoner gave no trouble during his period of confinement in Wellington Prison, and made few requests. He did practically no reading, and spent much of the time walking and smoking. He was a light sleeper, and toward the end showed signs of strain. Price did not sleep well last night. He was called at 6.15 this morning, and Father Uhlenberg administered the last Sacrament. He expressed appreciation of the consideration shown to him by the prison officials.