INTERPROVINCIAL TELEGRAMS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 271, 21 February 1879, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL TELEGRAMS.

(fbom the lyttelton times,)

"Wellington, Feb. 18,

A largely attended meeting of members of the Athenaeum was held to-night-It was resolved by a considerable majority that the institution should be opened on Sundays. It was left to the Committee to arrange as to the hours.

Hokitika, Feb. 18

Through opposition in coaching between Hokitika and Christchurch, the fares are reduced to 20s, inclusive of train from Malvern to Christchurch.

(From the P«ess.)

Wellington, Feb. 19.

Mr Mansford finds himself in a curious difficulty , with regard to his aesessment. At th« sitting of the Court this morning he said that he wished to appeal, but he did not see how he could give notice, as he would have to adjudicate on his own case. There was no provision in the Act to meet «uch a difficulty, and he thought it rather a hard case that he should be debarred of his right.

Invercaegill, Feb. 19.

The execution of Walsh, the murderer of his wife at Waikawa, took place at 7.40 within the precincts of the Invercargill gaol. As it was the first event of the kind a good deal of morbid curiosity was manifested by the public, and about three hundred per sous gathered ontside the walls of tie goal, from whence, however, nothing more than the upper part of the scaffold was visible. Walsh made no statement, and walked along with steady •steps. Throughout he displayed no' emotion whatever. He ascended the $teps leading up to the platform unaided and took his stand on the drop. The governor, of the gaol and a warder stood by. Father Higgins continuing the service of prayer, which he had commenced when the procession moved froqn the room. Walsh recited some prayere after the priest, and responded to others, in a firm, audible voice. Presently a white cap was put on, the noose the execntioneer then, decendragthe steps and taking his station at the bolt. The priest continues to pray with favor. The executioner, at a signal from the sheriff, drew the bolt, and all was over. There was very little convulsive movement. The surgeon of the gaol having waited until pulsation ceased, reported accordingly to the sheriff, who thereupon signed ihe usual certificate to the effect that the sentence of the law had' been duly carried out. Walsh's demeanor subsequent to the trial was of a uniformly stolid character. In reply, to a question he said he had no message to send to any relatives, or last request to .make. He expressed himself as grateful for the considerate treatment received at the hands of the governor of the gaol and

officials.