Conviction of Mr Stead.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1583, 16 December 1885, Page 4

Conviction of Mr Stead.

. -tPer Mail Steamer.J Mr Stead, editor of the Vail Mall (xdzcete, convicted on charges of abductioni and taihpering with -a minor," Eliza Armstrong. Va»,- on November 10th; sentenced to- three months'- imprison ; ment. To a correspondent; who> called oii him m prison, he Said :--" I am m ' monstrously good spirits^because ; -I regard the trial as having disposed of ' all stock charges against ray investigations. Let it-be remembered that diit of fif tv■evAn columns of the Gazette's articles ha-Tlly three depended upon Mrs Jarret's evidence, and that I employed her only at" ! the earliest period before ' I "learned how to go to work myself. I itrongly deprecate any attempt to make « row on my behalf , and to- say that I hare been treated unjustly, because that is not true. I made a blunder, and &m • now paying the penalty for it ; still lam upheld bjr the- knowledge *that my blunder is better than the wisdom of others." In a letter published on November 9th, he s&idTw wbuld-not quarrel about the verdict, whatever it might be, and that he bid had a fair trial. He preferred that Rebecca Jarrett should be i treatod with mlrcy m preference to" himself. H«» remained firm m the conviction that he was right. The charge against Bramwell Booth, of the Salvation Army was withdrawn. The convicted editor was interviewed m his ceji at Coldlbath. Fields' prison, on November 11th, "His warder was present at the interview, and the .prisoner was not allowed to shake hands 'With hit) visitors. Mr Stead was m prison; garb, consisting of glengarry cap and loose fitting colourless jacket, stamped on the left breast with * circle » R 2/8." He ■wore' bagey, course, yellow trousers, j bearing the 4 brand, and patched boots, and his. hail was cropped short. He appeared to be suffering ■ev.erely f rpiti' cpld, " his hands being tucked m Xi» capacious sleeves; for. warmth. He was m fairly !gopd spirits, however- He was allowed a Bible m bis cell, but the light was not sufficient :for.him'tot i ead it. His breakfast-con-sisted of thjh porridge and browtf bread, ni^dinnefjofsu^tpudding.., Sup-ptfrsatn*'-as breakfant; .was not allowed' $9 see'anybbdy- betyreen 6 p.m. =. and ; B a.m. -The daily task assigned was picking "due pound of. .oakum. The ordinary prisoners r have, to pick -three pounds. :f he sentence of all the prisoners commences on tho first - day of the neisioh of. Court, which -this year was October 19th, and Mr Stead wilt there , foreipe released on January 19th. The Governor of the prison was ordered by the authorities to treat Mr Stead as a first class misdemeanant, which means, ot coursej exemption from labor.