THE FIRST MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH IN TARANAKI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 4061, 7 June 1882, Page 2

THE FIRST MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH IN TARANAKI.

Ar/niounn Hivoki will be the first mm in Taranaki to suffer the extreme penalty of the lnw for the crime of murder, he is not the first on whom tho sentence of death has been passed. The first nnd only othecase in which the Judge has had to use the "black cap" here was in 1803, on the occasion of Hori, a half-caste, being found guilty of the murder of Dr. Hope, nnd sentenced by the Chief Justice S'r (r. Ameyto be "taken to the place from whence ho came, and thence to the place of execution, and thero to be hung by the neck until he was dead." It is not often that the switence of death is passed upon a person, and ho is fortunate enough to escape tho penalty. Yet, Hori managed to do so and has for years been at liberty. We believo that since that time he has been of considerable service to the Government ; and for many years has been a member of tho Armea Constabulary stationed in the Opnnnke nnd Pnrihaka Districts. There is a little unrecorded episode connected with this aft'air, which may not bo uninteresting to our readers. Before referring, however, to it, we may as well brieily montion Hie offence for which Hori was found guilty. Ik is well-known that between 18<>0 nnd 1808 the natives and pakchus were not on very friendly terms with each other. The pukehus viewed the matter of fighting much in the same way as the Cockney special constable did, who said to the Chartist rioter, "If I kill you its nouiing ; but if you kill me its murder." It wns on the 4th May, 1803, (luring the disturbed state of the country that the Maoris laid an ambuscade, by whic'i a party of armed men of the 57th Regiment, in charge of a prisoner, was surprised, and all but one killed. Amongst those slrttn were Dr. Hope and Lieut. Tragett. On the 29th June, m Lieut. Waller wns riding to Poutoko he was fired at by natives in ambush, who killed liis horse. Whilst disengaging himself from the fallen beast, a natives sprang out with a tomahawk to despatch him, but Lieut. Waller shot him with a revolver, and then made kis escape.. This was Hori, who, ufter being wounded, conceded himself in some fern, and was there found by the soldiers, who had turned out immediately after the alarm froiu the report of firearms. The wounded native was taken prisoner, and on his person was found a watch, pouch, belt, aßcl other accoutrements belonging to Dr. Hope, who had been previously murdered. Hori was brought into New Plymouti, and on the 4th July, 18G3, was tried brfore the Chief Justice, Sir George Arney. He was found guilty of shooting at Lieut. Wallor, with intent to murder, and sentenced to penal servitude for life ; and for murdering Dr. Hope, for which he received sentence of death. The only gaol in New Plymouth at that time was where tho lock-up Is at present, and as there were no appliances for hanging a man, or convenience for life sentenced prisoners, the authorities thought it would be better 'to despatch Hori to Auckland. So on the 21st of tho same month, in company with the Sergeant of Police, he went on board the s.s. Airedale and was taken north. The prisoner and his oustodian arrived in the Manukau on the Wednesday morning, and as means of conveyance were very limited in thoge days, the Sergeant had to walk his man from Onehunjja to Mount Eden gaol, where he left him. He then made for theGovernmentoflfices in Princess-street, wlioro h« aaiSvorwi hiq totn- of instructions to Mr. Domett, who was then Colonial Secretary. The Sergeant had not left the Minister's office many moments ; he had not had even a chance of looking about for lodgings, although the day had then somewhat advanced, when he was called back, for Mr. Whitaker wanted to see him ; something was wrong. The Sergeant, who was getting tired with the long walk he had had, reluctantly returned, and was ushered into the presence of Mr. Domett and Mr. Whitakcr ( who, although Attorney-General, was not one of the Ministry, the latter saluting him on his entering with—" Why, Sergeant, what is this I bear you have been doing ? Are you aware you have been breaking the, law, and that a man under a sentonce of death must not be allowed to leave his cell until he is taken to the spot where he is to be hanged ? You had better take him back again as quick as you can ; and, ns you are personally liable for his custody — if he should escape, I do not know what would be done to you. I never heard of such a case." The Sergeant then retired, but he had no sooner got out of the door of the Government offices than a messenger in breathless haste informed him that he was wanted up at the Mount Eden gaol again. After a tramp of three miles the Serjeant found himself in another difficulty. There was the gaoler and Hori at the gate — and the former told the Sergeant he would have nothing to do with his prisoner, so he had better take charge of him. The sergeant remonstrated, and plendcd that, as it was getting towards evening, it would not be safe for the prisoner to be at large, and he, might escape. But tho gaoler was obdurate, and, therefore, the sergeant had to face the difficult situation — and weary in body, and mentally worried, ho and Hori started from Mount Eden Gaol in the direction of Auckland. It was quite dark, and the Kyber Pms Road * lonely one in those days— so Hori, if he had had ,i mind to so do, could have easily escaped ; but he stuck close to his custodian, and they after a whilo reached Homo hoiiHO at tho top of Edward-street, which were the first signs of habitation met with. A difficulty then arose where to get lodgings, as there were few inclined to admit a native into their house — and public lodging-houses where scarce. The sergeant knew nothing of Auckland — never having been there before — and ho took the first accommodation that offered, which was an empty room in Edwards-street, and the use of a couple of blankets. Here the two passed their time duringThursdayand Friday, and on the Saturday a march was made for Onehunga, where the prisoner and his custodian embarked again in the s.s. Airedale, which left on the Sunday, and on Monday morning, Hori again found himself in " the place from whence hehnd been taken." And here we will drop the subject, for it is unnecessary for us to say that " Hori never was hanged ; neither is he undergoing the penal servitude!" He, however, has for many years been a loyal subject, and a member of tho A.C. Force ; and those who know him speak very highly of him.

The voting in the Borough of Patea for the £5,000 loan for local improvements, was rejected by three votes. Wo have to hold over till to-morrow the report of the annual meeting of the Benevolent Society, and a letter on the smelting of the iron aund which has been sent us.