OTOROHANGA MURDER

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 14, 11 October 1921, Page 4

OTOROHANGA MURDER

EXECUTION OF TE KAHO. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, October 10. Hakaraia te Kahu, sentenced to death for the murder of Patrick Richard Elliott at Otorohanga on Easter Sunday, was hanged in Mount Eden Gaol at ‘I o’clock this morning. Ho had to bo assisted to iho platform. Asked if he had anything to say, 'ho replied in Maori, speaking with tin effort: "Yes. Give my love to my parwits' Now I am about to go, I fool it very-much. I Jiavo the greatest regard for all.” Death was instantaneous. In a statement, Dr. Liston, Roman Catholic Coadjutor Bishop, says: “Now that Te Kahu lias paid the penalty for his crime against society, it seems time to say that he owed little, if anything, to society. He was brought up wholly outside the refinements of society and tho restraining and ennobling influences of religion. Indeed, until a fortnight ago he barely knew there was a God to whom he was responsible. AVhat prompted the condemned man to ask to see a priest just two weeks ago I do not know. So To Kahu received instructions in his own tongue about his Maker, heard for the first time the story of the God-Man’s tender lovo and boundless forgiveness, was baptised a Catholic, found and asked pardon, and was followed to the end by tho consoling ministrations of the Catholic Church.” PROTEST AGAINST PUBLICATION OF DETAILS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, October 10. A protest against tho publication of the details of the execution of To Kahu was uttered by Councillor Martin at a meeting of tlie City Council to-night. lie moved that the council express its disapproval of tho publication of reports of executions, and that the Prime Minister he requested to have such reports prohibited. Councillor Armstrong said that if it was right Io have executions carried out at all, there was nothing wrong about an account of an execution appearing in tho newspapers. He proposed a motion protesting against capital punishment altogether, hut this could not be accepted without notice. Councillor Martin’s motion was carried.