THE CHEMIS CASE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LV, Issue 5775, 19 September 1893, Page 3

THE CHEMIS CASE.

> «. »_. — (By Telbsbaph.) WELLINGTON, Bbjpibmber 18. A deputation composed of eighteen members of the Eouae of Representatives and six Italian residents of Wellington waited on the Premier this afternoon with reference to the case of the convict Louis Ohemis. Mr O. JEL Mills introduced tho deputation, one of whom read a statement containing an analysis of the evidenoe submitted at Ohemie* trial. They urged that the Government should carefully consider the matter. The petitioners contended that the Grown had never proved Chemie guilty, and that a gross miscarriage of justice had occurred, whioh might have been obviated if a criminal Court of Appeal had beon established m New Zoaland. Apology was made for the absence of Mr G. F. Richardson, who, it was pointed out,' felt very strongly that Cheat's was an innocent man. Mr Fish declared that the verdict was not justified by the evidence, and that tho prose* cution had been carried out on extraordinary lines. „ Mr Thompson said thbt-he bad oar t fully and closely studied ChemV demeanour while tbo latter was m Auckland gaol, and he now bad grave doubts ai to his guilt. Mr McLean thought that the man should got the benefit of the doubt Mr J. W. Kelly and Mr E. M. Smith, as members of the A to L Petitions Oommitee whioh considered the Chemis case last year, were thoroughly convinoed of the connotV innocence. Mr Hall- Jones, Mr Tanner, Mr W. Hutchison, Mr Houston, Mr Hogg, Mr W. Kelly, Mr Lawry, Mr Pratt, and Mr Taylor also spoke. They asked, not for mercy or clemency, but urged that a oompiete and exhaustive enquiry should be made into the whole case. Mr George Fisher, the Italian Consul, pointed out that the case was so surrounded with doubts that tho late Governor had no difficulty m deciding to commute trie death sentence. The Premier m reply said that the matter was one of serious moment. The petition reflected credit on those conoerned m its preparation, and the Government would deal with it m Cabinet. The Government would fully probe the matter. He pointed , out that it an Appeal Court for criminal oaseß had existed m the colony, thero would have befn no cauße for the dissatisfaction which had arison m connection with this case, and he felt that tho sooner tbe law was altered m [ this respect tho bettor it would be. He remarked that tho Government would be hampered m this matter m that it would be said that political pressure had been brought to boar on them, and for that reason .he rathor regrettod that the deputation had inoluded 00 many members of the House. Ho would have preferred to have met the Italian residents alone. Referring to the trial of Chemis, he denied that the Crown Prosecutor hud departed from his usual course m conducting Buch cases.