Ruined by an Unjust Sentence.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1902, 15 November 1886, Page 2

Ruined by an Unjust Sentence.

From a Victorian paper we learn that on Oct. 81„ the body of a man was found on the Hammocks along the coast, about six miles from Belfast. Deceased who was known as Billy Crawfish, bad lired for the last S6 years, hermit like, in a save on the eout, and obtained a living by catching fish, and making brooms and mats. At the inquest t"e evidence shewed thst bis name was William Archer, and that he had a strange history. According to a witness who knew deosased intimately, it appears that 4S years ago he was Mata need to tiansportotiou for life from the old Country to Tasmania, tor tbs alleged crime of ahootiug s gamekeeper while poaching. He bad been in the district for aoout 80 years. Aboet 18 years ego a man in England, on his death bad, had oonfeeead that he aad net William Archer had shot the gamekeeper, aad Anher had been wrongly convicted. Archer's friends wuo were in good position, communtaated with the anthoritiee in England, with the result that Archer removed a free pardon, and arrangements wars made to pay hie expenses to England. The old man, bow* aver, refused to go back, stating that his Ufa had bean mined by an ujast sentence. A verdict wee returned at death tm old age and nposore,