Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly, Price 1d. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1887. The Mount Rennie Outrage

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2016, 12 January 1887, Page 2

Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly, Price Id. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1887. The Mount Rennie Outrage

Foeemost in the annals of colonial crime stands the Mount .Rennie outrage, not only because ot the enormity of the crime, but the youth of those concerned in it. Not long since nine out of eleven men were sentenced to death at Sydney for having outraged a woman named diary Jane Hicks at Mount Kennie. I'he jury, after beiug absent for about three hours, relumed with the followingverdict :—“ Ueiiud William Hill, George Huffy, William Newman, tficbael Houoelau, Joseph Martin, William Boyce, Hugh Miller, Robert George Read, and George Keegan guilty of the charge, and Thomas Oscroft and Michael Manghan not guilty ; and we recommend the prisoners to mercy on account of their youth.” Manghan and Oscroft were at once discharged and removed from the dock. In reply to the usual questions, Hill protested his innocence and said that the complainant and other witnesses of the Crown had •worn his life away. He said he saw the girl on the day of the assault, but acted as a man to her. He could go to the scaffold without the slightest fear of death. Honnelan also declared that he was perfectly innocent, and was not afraid to face death in twelve hours if necessary. Martin swore that what he did was with the consent of the complainant. Boyce, Miller, Bead, and Keegan protested that they were victims of false testi mony, and the last named added that if his life was spared he would be able to prove his innocence. The others said nothing. Mr Justice Windeyer, in pronouncing sentence, spoke with intense feeling. He said that the prisoners had been convicted of a crime so horrible that every lover of his country must feel that it was a disgrace to civilisation. It was horrible to think that there should be in that city a class worse than savages, lower in their instincts than the brutes below us. Nothing could convey or fully express the abborcnce of right thinking men of a scene such as that described by the witnesses. A poor defenceless girl, defenceless aud alone, like some wild animal, was hunted down by s set of savages, who sprang upon her and outraged her until she lay a helpless thing before them. Then, when returning consciousness brought with it the terror of further outrages, she in her frenzy sought any such mode of death as seemed to present itself as a refuge from the horrors of her life. He warned the prisoners to prepare for death. Outrages such as that in which the prisoners had been found guilty were not committed upon the children of the rich, who went about under the protection of servants, but upon the daughters of the people, who in pursuit of their honest avoca'ion.s, were c -uipelh-'l to go itrout exposed to sudi outrages as had teen committed L- >he present case. The p-isoncra might rest assnred that no j.ity would be extended to them, but would be reserved for the homes outraged and the victims who were ruined by such crimes as theirs. I Sentence of death was then passed on the prisoners.

To hear of such an outrage is enough to make the blood curdle in one’s veins and the thought uppermost is for lynching the wretches who could be guilty of it. But,' strange to say, strong efforts were made to get a reprieve for these men. There are times when a feeling of humanity would lead us to plead for mercy for those who have sinned, but mercy must not be set aside at the expense of justice. The poor young woman was driven to death by the outrage, and it was right that the perpetrators should meet with their just reward. In New South Wales the penalty of death for such offences has been in force some years, but it has nut been carried out, because the criminals had mercy extended to them. ffui these eases of assault upon defenceless women were becoming numerous, aod when the public were shocked with the Hiount Rennie outrage the ExecU’ live Government of New South Wales determined to punish with the extreme penalty of the law. Then deputations waited upon his Excellency the Governor, one for a reprieve to be granted, another objecting to it. His Excellency, who hold the prerogative of mercy, declined l> in'cvforc, ami on Friday mornin.r last four of tin wn-'cbed men went 10 the scaffold to die !•■!' their crime, while others were sen 4 meed to imp isemoent in irons for life. I, el us in pc that the thought of an ignommicu.- u«hi upon the gaT | lows or a life spent in irons will prove 1 a warnin'’' to those who hold female virtue too “*' ea P <

The Committee of the Waimraps Oun Cluli will meet i Saturday even lag) at the Foresters’ Arms, Qieytown. A meeting of the Taratalu Carterton Farmers’ Association was held on Saturday night. Toe members now number nearly thirty, and rules hive Dean printed for their guidance, and the club ms every prospect of proving successful, A concert wa- hell at Waibakeke on Monday night, in aid of the puss fund. On see milt, probably of the excessively hot weather, the attendance was not quite equal to the former successful ones, but the committee arc assured that upon the next occasion they will succeed in obtaining a good attend inoe of the settlers in the district.

What might have proved ft most serious fire at Carterton on led Monday afler noon about 12 31 p.m.. was fortunately prevented. At »but that time the tool 0 > Mr T r.anc.eU'a n <ldonce was fund to la ini'. tim.s,no u-übt camel by a spark iron the chimney tallp'g on the dry shinglcr. Tl "»ntpt assistance was at hand and the fire quickly

The regular monthly meeting of thl Wni- > .! In.-titiuo was held on Monday night. Mr A. L Webster, the secretary, raid the uiiuntes of ilm former meeting which wote confirmed. Other-routine business was uis ■ pos.,u of aud the committee adjourned.

MrF H Wood will hold a most important stock sale at the Taratahi yards, tomorrow (Thursday). There will be a large lumber of sheep and cattle submitted and some excellent chances for buyers to supply their acquirements.

Mr Alfred Armstrong’s new Carterton drapery advertisement appears in another part of the paper. Mr Armstrong is a young man who, by his genial and business lik* habits, has become very popular in Caitsrton since he hag resided there, and the really cheap and attractive lines of drapery and clothing he now offers are specially worthy of general notice.

Owners of horses and cattle should, dating this hot weather, see that a proper supply of water for drinking is supplied them. A person informed us this morning that yesterday io a paddock some horses were suffering much from thirst and when supplied nearly trampled upon the person who brought the water, in their eagerness for a driuk. The potatoes in the New Plymouth district are a failure this season.

The premises of Mr John Plimmer, of Wellington, were robbed on Monday of £2OO worth of cash and jewellery. A man named Hind and a woman who gives her name as Mrs Annie Hind have been arrested aud the stolen property recovered. The annual treat of the Carterton school will take place at Mr Applin’s on the Lincoln road, on Friday, the 21st instant. The school children are to master at one o'clock. The Carterton Town Band played some selections on the main street on Saturday night. The band ia now making good progress. The nominations for the Fire Brigade Sports at Oreytown, on the 220 d instant, are very numeions, and some excellently contested events may be looked for. The heat all over the colony is intense. The heat throughout Australia has been unprecedented, aud two fatal cases of sunstroke occurred in Melbourne.au Mo a day. Mr W Nichols is just now having built, at Featherston, near the Railway Station, a most handsome and commodious residence, and when completed will be a moat prominent ornament to the town. At the Carterton Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, James McNaughton. charged with stealing an overcoat from Mr WC Buchanan's residence at Tupnrnpuru, was discharged with a caution solely, as the magistrate observed, upon the extraordinary evidence given by Mr Rutherford, a witness in the case.

The Taratahi-Cartertun Jockey Club have resolved to call for tenders for the privileges in connection with their forthcoming meeting on the 22nd instant, viz., publican’s booth (erected), fancy good’s stall and cards of the races. Tenders are required to be sent in by the 17th instant. Mr Qeoige Stevens returned this morning to Greytown from Kimberley. lie reports that Mr Hart Udy (Terlmsi, has gone to Melbourne.

The Minister for Public Instruction in New South Wales has received over 100 applications from country schoolmasters for tha establishment of savings banka in connection with their schools.

In consequence ot tbe outbreak of small pox in Australia, the New Zealand Government have issued stringent quarantine regulations,

The Union Company's boats plying between Australian and New Zealand ports, must now carry a properly qualified medical man.

The Mayor of Adelaide says that tbe finances of the city corpotlion are in a worse state than they have been for tbe past 20 years. Inspector Slee, in a report to the Mines Department, says that tbe Silverto«n district is the richest ana most extensive mineral district so far opened in New South Wales.

Mr F H Wood holds a most important sale of stock at the Featherston saleyarda uu Tuesday next. The Fealherstou auction sales held iu this lice by Mr Wood are fast becoming popular, and it is expected that on Tuesday next there will be a large attendance from all parts of toe valley. A magnificent patchwork quilt is to be exhibited at a baz nr iu Dunediu, containing no less than 5733 coloured pieces. It is bordered with costly lace, and occupied seven years in construction.

An Adelaide contemporary says that in consequence ol the body oi a man who died from smallpox on tbe Freussen being buried at sea, “ the fish trade has suffered very considerably, and fishermen are complaining in consequence.”

The New Criterion Theatre, Sydney, was opened on December 27, when Cbussaigne and Farnie’s opera, Falka,” was produced, with Miss Emilie Melville and Signor Verdi and Mr E. Eelly in the principal characters. Mr H. Ebden, agent lor Mr Harry Power’s Comedy and Burlesque Company, arrived here yesterday morning, and is making arrangements for tbe above Company, who has just completed a brilliant and must successful ; season in Wellington, to play next Saturday, on their way North, the favourite Irish drama “ Kathleen Mavoureen.” We strongly advise all who can, not to miss this opportunity of seeing a really good entertainment, as it is not often that a firsUolass company visits our town. We hope to see a bumper house on this occasion. Groat complaints arc made of the havoc by small birds in Otago. The London Echo says that the colonies are really suffering from lack of development.

Mr E. A. Hart, the comedian, had a narrow escape from drowning at Bondi recently.

Severe weather has been experienced in Brisbane and throughout the greater part of Queensland. Beach said he was glad to get away from Adelaide, as the people almost killed him with kindness.

A 'veil known Newcastle reside:.■, known as ■ old Dick,” was found drowned t.ear the A.A. Company's wharf.

About 150 passengers took advantage of the night train fiom Dunedin fm Olaistchurch on Christmas Eve.

Hart"'*’ sVufi—;-y, managing director of the New Zealand Btud Company, proceeds to England shortly. At a meeting of old soldiers and pensioners at Christchurch* it was decided to form a pensioners’ benefit society. Sir Robert Stout effectually crushed the chief labor agitator at Christchurch, by telling him bo understood be was living on his wife’s washing money, instead of going to work to support himself and her.

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The Greytown Cricket Chib fa tend sending a t rn , Wellington to play the Phoenix Club ~u the 22nd. Mr J. Siilav, the Maori schoolmaster, aud Mr A. M. Bradbury, our local aitist and taxidermist, started this (Tuesday) morning for a trip down the Eamuhunga liver to the WairarapaLake. The boats, or canoes, in which they travel were made by themselves, and, considering the dangers they have to encounter on the voyage, are very frail. If they manage to shoot the rapids of the river near Waihenga without smaebihg their crafts, the rest of the journey will be comparatively safe. It was at this poiot of the Rumabunga that Mr Fitzgerald's Bob Boy canoe capsized when he made his trip from Wairarapa to Wellington about four years ago.—Daily.

The bore for petroleum at Rotokautuku, Poverty Bay, is now down 1580 feet. Mrs Lirnach, wife of the Minister of Mines* died last evening.

Mr F. H. Wood will held an unreserved auction sale of the furniture and effects of C W Vallange, Esq, at Featherstoo, on Saturday, 15th last, commencing at one o'clock.

New South Wales' deficit two millions and a half. A coincidence in connection with Hall's trial is that it is set down for heating on bis Uithday—January 24. He will be 49 yeais of age. A woman named Vandeliude, lately employed by Mr Wall, of Martinborougb, was found dead in her bed at Wellington yesterday. Borne very convenient cattle yards are being erected at the Featberston Railway Station, this will supply a long felt requite meat.

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