THE MURDERER SULLIVAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1160, 21 February 1874, Page 4

THE MURDERER SULLIVAN.

It has become pretty generally known for the last few days that Sullivan, one of the Maungatapu murderers, had received a free pardon from the Government, and had been allowed to leave the Province by the s.s. Mikado, bound to San Francisco, via Auckland. Although Sullivan's departure from New Zealand was a matter for congratulation, there was a strong feeling that such a ruffian as he has been proved to be was too dangerous a character to be pet at large anywhere, and that our American cousins would scarcely thank us for sending them this description of assisted emigrant. It was also thought that perhaps the Californian authorities might not like to be out-done in generosity, and might feel disposed to assist a few of their choicest blackguards to our shores in return. Several telegrams containing the information that Sullivan was on board the Mikado were sent to Auckland yesterday and the day before, and yesterday morning a number of gentlemen subscribed and despatched a telegram, to be sent right through from Melbourne to the American Government. The communication with Auckland, however, had the desired effect, for yesterday we learned that, in consequence of protests by the American Consul, and the objections of the passengers by the Mikado, Captain Moore refused to take Sullivan any farther, and turned him off the vessel at Auckland. What sort of a reception he met with there, and what his movements are, we have not yet heard. There is great indignation at Auckland in consequence of Sullivan's liberation ; and, from his past history, it will readily be admitted that he is anything but a desirable addition to any community. The Maungatapuinurders— butcheries they might almost be called— were so horrible in the details of their cold-blooded brutality that the facts are, no doubt, fresh in the recollection of moßt of our readers ; but, for the information of our readers, we give a few particulars of the events which led to Sullivan's conviction, and of what was cone up to ohe time of his pardon. The murders took place about June, 1866, and Sullivan, Kelly, Burgess, and Levy were arrested. Six murders were proved, Sullivan having been induced whilst in Gaol to turn Queen's evidence upon condition that he should receive a free pardon. There is no doubt that the other three men could scarcely have been legally convicted but for Sullivan's evidence. In the course of their enquiries, the police ascertained that other murders had been committed in addition to those known at the time that Sullivan turned Queen's evidence, one of the crimes being the murder of an old whaler, called " Old Jamie," or James Battle. Burgess, Kelly, and Levy were hanged, and Sullivan was placed upon his trial for the murder of James Battle. It appeared that in the murder of this old man Sullivan was the ringleader, and it is even supposed that he was the one of the party who actually strangled the victim. He was convicted and sentenced to death, but the sentence was afterwards commuted to imprisonment for life, in consideration of the evidence he had given in Court against the other three men, and the information he had given to the police. He was confined in the Nelson Gaol, and proved a great trouble to the authorities. The other prisoners would not tolerate his presence amongst them, and that there was such a strong feeling on the part of the people of Nelson, that Sullivan was sent down to the Dunedin Gaol, where he was kept up to the time of his liberation. He hasoften petitisned the Government for his release, the prayer of the memorial he has forwarded being, that the pardon given him when he turned Queen's evidence, embraced the whole of the crimes committed by the gang. He also Btated that had he supposed that he was to be Vied for every one of these offences, he would never have given evidence for the Crown. He haa represented this to the General Government from time to time. It must be admitted that, bad as the man is, there is a great deal of force in his statement. In every case his petition was referred to the Judge who tried the case— Mr Justice Johnson, of Wellington — and until lately the prayers of the petitions have been refused. A short time back, when His Excellency Sir James Fergusson visited the Gaol, Sullivan presented a petition to him, and it was decided that the prisoner should have a free pardon, if he could be got out of the Colony. Arraugeraenta were made to send him to San Francisco by the Mikado, his passage was paid, and he was taken on board quietly just before she steamed out ot the Port.