BUTLER'S APPEARANCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2252, 29 April 1897, Page 23

BUTLER'S APPEARANCE.

Builer apparently appreciates in a certain j way the notoriety which has latterly been ; thrust upon him. When Detective Bailey went; into his cabin to sib with the officer in charge of ! Butler, the prisoner just give a look &t him and i slid, in a. surly tone, "You're another detecj tiv<»." After a few minutes' silence he asked, [" Is there a big crowd on the jstty ? " and seemed r-ither surprised when Bailey Eaid "No'j bo many as I expected." After i the Mariposa leaves Auckl?.nd the guard | will be doubled on Butler till his arrival in J Sydney. Ou the first day of the voyage he cut j up rough nnd was placed in irons and wjvb threatened with a straitjacket, wheu he gave in, and all the resb of the voyage gava no further trouble. A brief view of Butler was obtained at the entrance to his cabin. The door of his tem- < porary prison was open, and Sergeant M'H&ttie and Constable CoDroy sab inside guarding their j now celsbrated criminal, who sat on a low settee alongside M'Hattie. His eyes were cast on the floor as if in a contemplative mood, while bh hands lay on his koees. His legs were confined at the ankles in fron anklets or bands, attached to each of which were chains shackled to a ring bolt in the floor in front of him. He wore a thick dirk moustache with a touch of eandiuefs in it, and the lower part of j his cheeks and part of his chin were covered ! with a short growth of whiskers and beard, : as, of course, he was not allowed to be shaved. S As far as could ba seen in a glance, Butler has j a rather receding forehead, seamed with deep j wrinkles, and his face, after three weeks' close confinement on board ship, was somewhat pallid and white. His eyes, naturally small, are described as of bluish grey colour, and very bright, quick, and observant. He has a nose of \ somewhat peculiar shape, being broad and bearJ ing the marks of what v/as apparently a blow

across the bridge. The prisoner has a square and determined-looking ohia, and his cheek bones are some whin; high and prominent. He was dressed in a tweed suit. Two staterooms —Nos. 31 and 32 —were set i apart for the use of Butler and his guardians. Butler's was as bare of furniture as possible, only a settee and the clothing for two banks being left in it. An iron grating was placed on the outside of the porb and another in the doorway .opposite. Stateroom 31 was occupied by the officers, and they overlooked every movement of Butler withonb going into his cabia. It was originally intended to take Butler down into the steerage, but the chatrces of privacy were so little, and the opportunities [ for his getting assistance irom the sailors and j others so many, that Captain Hayward strongly j advised against taking the chancas. Extraordinary precautions were taken to guard the prisoner night aad day. At night mictcns were placed on his hands so that he had no opportunity to cut an artery if he were so inclined or of inflicting any personal injuries. Sleepwalking was prevented by leg irons, and one of the detectives remained with him, sleeping or waking. When he took exercise he was handcuffed to one of the detectives, who walked on each side of him. At other times he was chained ! to the deck, and a man was always near enough I to preveut accident. Butler was not allowed to j use either knife or fork at his meals, and all his i focd wa3 served cut up ready for him. The J prisoner was thus obliged to eat his food with his hands. , j Butior admits he was born in Wigan, in j Lancashire, but he would not divulge the name , of his f*ther who, he says, died mad in an asylum, and that he is paying the penalty. He : states he was some years in Western Australia, j aud he has hinted that if th© worst comes bo i the worst he will make a clean breast of hi* j career in these colonies and will lift the cloud j from some other men. He has intimated that before reaching Sydney ho will speak of many matters. On these lopios he wa* very sulky, and said to one of the detectives that he felt he was going mad and that if he kilted him he would not be responsible for hi! actions. His ' story about killing a sergeant of the Uuited State." cavalry, hf> says, \ya<! given to a lady press represent ativn who interviewed him foe " copy,'' and he eUiffed her with the yarn. i ; ! J i j

Sydney, April 25. It Is probable that Butler's trial wilt not be started till May 31, when the next aitting •jf the Criminal Court begins. Surprise la expressed at his being allowed to ba interyiewod in Auckland. The rule is that accused persons are prevented from conversing with anyone excepting their legal advisers. Special precautions will be taken to land him quietly. April 26. Butler will be transferred to the police launch as soon as the ai.eamer enters the head's, and landed In a quiet placs on the shore ol the harbour aad taken a roundabout way to Dirlinghurac Gaol.