THE REPRIEVED PRISONERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2260, 24 June 1897, Page 2

THE REPRIEVED PRISONERS.

As was decided upon by the Cabinet some time ago, a number of prisoners have been released from gaol as a mark of clemency in connection with the Record Reign : Louis Chemis. — Convicted of the murder of oue Hawkiogs afc Kaiwarra (Wellington) in 1839, his sentence being subsequently commuttd to penal servitude lor lite. Annie Byrne. — Sentenced for infanticide at Invercargill, the infant having been drowned when she threw herself into the e3tuary with it in her arms. Rowland, a half-caste, convicted of the murder of hi 3 mate in a moment of temper on the Bast Coast, and sentenced to death, which was subsequently commuted ro penal servitude for life. Rowlaad has served 13£ years in gaol, and there was some doubfc at tae time of the trial as to whether the prisoner had not acted in self-defence. The prison authorities report that the conduct of all the above has been exemplary during their period of incarceration. In addition to these three, 20 short-sentence prisoners m various parts of tne colony (including one male offeuder serving sentence in Dunediu), none of whose offcuces are of a heinous character, have also been set at liberty. Among these are believed to bo Rhinds, convictsd of incendiar.iam at Wellington ; Wallatb, the Taranaki highwayman ; and Findlay, who shot a man in a sailors' quarrel on Waterloo Quay, Wellington. The Extcutive had also under consideration a number of other cases in which petitions for free pardons had been reieived, but decided that the circumstances not warrant the clemency of the Crown being extended. In this category are included the women Flannagan, mother and daughter, convicted at Christchurch of infanticide under revolting circumstances.