BAYLY HANGED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20362, 20 July 1934, Page 7

BAYLY HANGED.

Makes Statement on Scaffold. AFFIRMS INNOCENCE. LAST SCENE IN RUAWARO TRAGEDY. (Special to the " Star.”) AUCKLAND, July 20. William Alfred Bayly was executed in Mount Eden prison at eight o’clock this morning for the murder of his neighbours, Samuel Pender Lakey and Christobel Lakey at Ruawaro in October. Death was due to asphyxia.

In a clear voice and carefully choosing his words, Bayly made a statement from the gallows protesting his innocence.

When Bayly had walked unfalteringly up the seventeen steps to the gallows, the sheriff (Mr C. J. Hewlett), standing in the yard below, asked: “Do you wish to say anything, Bayly ?** Bayly: Yes, I would like to say that I am entirely innocent. The circumstantial evidence may appear to be entirely against me, but there is no

tittle of truth in the circumstantial evidence which has been produced against me. If I had received the treatment outside which I have received in this place, I would never be here to-day. Everybody has done all they could for me, and I do not think anyone who has helped me here could have done more. There was a long pause. The sheriff: Is that all? Bayly: Just a minute. Just a minute. Again there was a pause. Bayly continued: “I don’t think I can say any more, but I do repeat that I am innocent. A fair and dispassionate study of the evidence is as much against my accusers as it is against me.” Again there was a pause. Then Bayly said: “I do not think there is any more I can sav.” Farewell to Chaplain. With his arms pinioned Bayly shook hands with two of the senior warders on the scaffold and then with the Rev G. E. More ton, who conducted a brief service. “ Good-bye,” he said to Mr Moreton. ** Thank you.” Less than a minute later Bayly was dead.

Dr C. H. Twesley, the gaol surgeon, told those assembled shortly after that Bayly was dead.

From the time Bayly left the cell, preceded by Mr Moreton reading Psalm 130 as he walked, until the time of the execution less than eight minutes elapsed.

Others who watched Bayly die included the Superintendent of Mount Eden Prison (Mr J. Dickeson), the Superintendent of Police in Auckland S. Till), the sheriff, the chief clerk of the prison, four representatives of newspapers and warders of the gaol.

LAST HOURS. Played Draughts Until 2.30 a.m. To-day. “X CAX WAVE GOOD-BYE" (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, July 20. For the last time Bayly was visited by relatives yesterday morning. Last night he was visited by the Rev G. E. Moreton, who did not leave him until 9.30. He played draughts with the warder who guarded him until 2.30 o’clock this morning. Then he went to bed. Bayly had to be awakened by the officials at seven o’clock this morning, lie was given a basin in which to wash, and after that he had a breakfast of poached eggs on toast and a cup of tea. Then he rolled a cigarette, and soi... time later was offered a stimulant, which he accepted. After breakfast Bayly was taken from the condemned cell, which he has occupied since the death sentence was passed upon him, to the solitary confinement cell, twenty-five yards from the gallow’s. He smoked a cigarette as he walked. After th-j final personal words had passed between Mr Moreton and the prisoner Bayly’s arms were pinnioned by his side. He found that there was movement in his forearms and remarked: “Well, I can wave good-bye.” Just before he was executed Bayly raised his arm. Led by Mr Moreton in cassock and surplice, Bayly (who was dressed in white prison trousers, a grey coat and a blue shirt without collar) was follow’ed to the gallows by three %varders. The chaplain recited as he walked the opening sentences of the Burial Service and then the Psalm. “ O Israel,” he said, “ trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.” Placing his hand on Bayly’s head as

the condemned man stood on the gallows, Mr Moreton gave Bayly the Blessing. Condemned Cell.

The condemned cell which Bayly occupied for nearly a month was made as comfortable as possible. There was a carpet on the floor and an electric heater. The bed, with clean sheets and plenty of blankets, was of the stretcher type.

On a table were various types of literature and the last book Bayly read was “ Broken Earthenware,” by Harold Begbie. There were many light magazines branded “ Library,” which were mostly of the Wild West type, and Bayly showed a liking for Charles A. Seltzer.

There was also a Webster’s dictionary which Bayly used to help him solve crossword puzzles, a pastime which occupied many hours while he was in gaol. He also played a form of solitaire with matches and often dominoes and draughts. DIED OF ASPHYXIA. Evidence of Doctor at Inquest. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, July 20. Bayly gained eleven pounds in weight during the time that he was in Mount Eden gaol. When he died he was 10 stone 71bs. Shortly before nine o’clock the Magistrate (Mr Wyvern Wilson) arrived to conduct the inquest into Bayly’s death. Those who had watched the hanging attended the inquest. After formal evidence had been given by the superintendent of the prison, the sheriff stated that the sentence of death had been passed on Bayly by the Supreme Court, and that he had been duly executed this morning. Then Dr Tewsley said he had examined the body of Bayly at nine o’clock and that Bayly died of asphyxia, consistent with death due to hanging. The Coroner then returned the following verdict: “I find that William Alfred Bayly died in Mount Eden prison at Auckland at 8 a.m. on July 20, 1934, and that the cause of death was asphyxiation, caused by his having been hanged in pursuance of the sentence of the Supreme Court imposed on him for the murder of Christobel Lakey and Samuel Pender Lakey.” At the time set down for the execution a group of sixty people gathered near the eastern end of the prison. The environs were patrolled by warders and police. , The body of Bayly was claimed on behalf of his relatives and a funeral service attended by them was subsequently conducted by the Rev. G. E. Moreton at the Waikumete cemetery.