EXECUTION SCENES

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1928, Page 2

EXECUTION SCENES

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Jan. 27. In a last effort to stive Rowlands and Driscoll, a telegram was sent to the Prince of Wales as President of the British Legion, appealing to him to save the lives of two Legioners. Rowland’s wife after a farewell visit to the prison, stated her husband said he would rather have died than endure twenty years of hell in prison. The men were executed to-day. LONDON, Jan. 27. When Rowlands and Driscoll were executed five thousand had gathered outside the prison, but there was no demonstration, apart from religious services, hymns arid chants. Filly policemen wore on duty from 3.50, although the hour of execution was 8 o’clock. A mini he rof men and women were overcome by the tense atmosphere and fainted when the clock struck S. It is stated that the condemned protested their innocence to the last and were steady and collected. LONDON. Jan,. 27. Emotional scenes, praying and hymn singing crowds around Cardiff gaol, with hysterical cries and tainting women provided a sharp contrast to the In-b hours of the condemned men. The authorities were amazed at their calm demeanour, particularly that of Driscoll, who spent the evening playing cards with a warder. He ordered port wine, saying, “Bring me a bottle; it will help mo i" sleep Soundly/' Driscoll grimly jested throughout the game. Both retired at midnight and slept till the early morning.

AY hen Driscoll was awakened he raved and stormed at the warders for more than hall an hour and then unexpectedly calmly said, “AVell chaps, what about a last game of cards.” He seized a pack and dealt a hand of Solo AVbist. The game was interrupted by tbe arrival of the Catholic Chaplain, and was never completed. Later Driscoll said: “I suppose the people are queueing up already. I hey are a curious crowd in Cardiff.” Near the scaffold he asked to he allowed to shake hands with Rowlands. The two gripped, and then Driscoll turned to the warder, saying, “winch rope is mine?”