HIS CONFESSION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6115, 23 March 1898, Page 3

HIS CONFESSION.

[Pur Press Association.! WELLINGTON, March 2_. Frank Philpott alias Stanhope 'was hanged at the Terrace Gaol at eight o'clock this morning, for the murder -f his mate, Ernest Alfred Hawthorne, at Silverstream, on Sept. 7 last. The convict slept soundly from 1 to 5.30, and was watched all night by warders iv turn. After rising he had half an hour's exercise, and took a light breakfast. There were present at the final scene the Sheriff and. the head gaoler ; the Rev C. Dallaston, of the Baptist church, who had been in constant attendance on the convict ; Messrs E. Arnold and J. P. Willeston, Visiting Justices ; Mr Richardson, Chief Clerk of the Prisons Department ; Dr Teare, prison doctor ; Mr T. Sayers, and members of the Press. Constables were stationed on the hills above the gaol to prevent spectators from, gathering, but few were present, and in any case they could have seen nothing, as the scaffold was surrounded by high screens. When the official procession reached the scaffold the Rev C. Dallaston asked Philpottwhether there was anything that he would like to say. The condemned mani in a voice on the whole firm, but betraying some signs of emotion, said that he had acknowledged and confessed his sin in the face of God; He had confessed to the . Rev C. Dallasto_i and Mr Garvey .< the ■■ gaoler, . and given! them power to make.his Vcphfe_sibn>public;. He . thanked . .the' :^iwpoffi(_J,alsV;fpr : their, extreme kindness to him, ••and wished everyone good-bye. Long — the executioner — then arranged the rope, and Philpott stood firm. There was a sligfht increase of colour in his face, and. it was evident that he keenly realised his position, but he showed no signs of breaking down, and met his fate manfully. The executioner curiously forgot to draw on the cap till he was reminded by the gaoler, and as he stepped forward to do so Philpott closed his eyes. When the drop fell death was instantaneous. There was no struggle, and no movement of the body. As soon as it was cut down a jury was empanelled and a formal verdict returned. The remains will be buried this afternoon at the Karori cemetery.