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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 5, Issue 273, 2 June 1865, Page 3

Execution of a Wife-Muedebeb. —We copv the following from the “Home Talk” of the Home News .• —“T rarely mention executions, unless there is something more than a story of a hanging, but here is really such a story. A ruffian in the North recently beat his wife to death—occupying nearly two hours in the brutal practice. Several “ men,” his neighbors, heard the cries of the poor creature, but not being, I suppose, candidates for Manhood Suffrage, declared that they were afraid to interfere. The scoundrel was sentenced to be hanged at Durham, and was. But the moment he was suspended, the rope broke, and down he came some fifteen feet to the ground. The authorities, not expecting such a result, had no resources, so for a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes the murderer had to meditate upon his crime. At the end of that time a new rope and a thick one was brought, and,the work of the law was completed. The incident is; rare in England. I believe that it used often to Occur in lieland in other days, and on one occasion I think I have read, a notorious villian sprang up from the ground, and said, “Now I’m free!” but fqund the authorities inclined"fto diSer"^ith' him* one of them remarking, “ Not if there is another rope in Ireland.” And there was one.”