EXECUTION OF CURTIN.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 61, 16 February 1877, Page 3

EXECUTION OF CURTIN.

The Auckland correspondent of a Wellington contemporary gives the folloAving account of the execution of Curtin. The telegram is dated February 6th : — Curtin was kept in ignorance of Mc Farlane and Swanson's futile attempts to secure a respite of his sentence. Yesterday morning he told the Warder that he had a aingulan dream that further efforts Avere being made to secure his pardon. The Warder refused to give him any information, but it is believed some visitor had given him a hint on the previous night. He states that he gave less trouble during his confinement than any prisoner under sentence of death. He took no stimulants, and slept soundly. In conversation Avith the Avarder he adhered to his former statement as to a tight Avith sticks. He took leave of his sister last evening. He slept from 12.30 to 4. HaAdng instructed the Warder to awake him, he was called shortly after four. He declined breakfast, and took a cup of tea only. He Avas attended by Father Walter M'Donald shortly after six. About thirty persons attended the execution, including officials. Precisely at seven o'clock the Governor of the gaol warned the prisoner to prepare. During the pinioning the executioner Avas nervous, and Curtin turned his head and said, " Keep cool man, take it coolly." Curtin walked calmly to the scaffold, and ascended without signs of fear. He addressed the spectators—" May God bless you us all. lam very thankful to Mr. O'Brien for his kindness—(here Curtin's utterance became tremulous, and he paused for an instant) —for his kindness and his noble spirit towards me. I am very thankful to all his officers, avlio treated me very nice, and to all the prisoners in the place ; they acted very quiet and very decent towards me also. I would like to mention that this Avas not Avilful murder on my part. 1 did nothing to the man but with the sticks Aye had in our hands, and it Avas his own fault to come into my place and and commit great destruction, and it Avas his fifth time of coming and committing the same acts. I could not help the man at all. I had no malice towards him or towards any living person. I thought to live honest as Avell as I could. I was living in my own place. There was no instrument, no axe, or anything of the kind in our hands. We never used them at all. The fight Avas a fair upstanding fight, face to face. I could not help it. The man would not knock off injuring me. I told him to knock oil', but he would not. I had nothing to do but to walk out and leave my place and take my blanket. I did not think of anything of the kind. I never thought he would die, but I could not help Avhat was done. The Lord haA'e mercy on his soul, poor man ; I had no malice whatever. 1 had none to any man living. I am very sorry I did Avhat I did. I could not help him at all. I am quite innocent of his death in any other Avay than the fighting ; but it Avas his own fault for coming into my place, and he would not knock off. He left his scythe above on the road, and would net go to work like an honest man ought to do. Of course I must commit myself to my Heavenly Father. The Lord have mercy on me. And also I am very thankful to the honest men of Auckland who signed the petition ; and I am very thankful to Father M'Donald and Father Fynes, Vicar General." Curtin spoke in quite subdued tones with deep humility. At times his voice faltered slightly, but otherwise he was calm and collected. For a few minutes Curtin appeared engaged in prayer. Then the bolt was drawn, and he died Avithout a struggle. The drop was seven feet. The body hung for one hour. There were the usual Jnquest and verdict. Curtin made over all his property to his sister.