Long-Sentence Prisoners Pleading for Liberty.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1627, 5 February 1886, Page 2

Long-Sentence Prisoners Pleading for Liberty.

(UNITED PRIiSS ASSOCIATION ) Wellington, Thursday. During the recent southern visit of the Minister of Justiqe, and while visiting the Lyttelton gaol, Butler, the wellknown convict, who has passed many years m gaol, applied for a remission of the sentence he is now passing In favor of his appeal, he said his incarceration was making him mftre hardened, and, unless he was now liberated, when he did get free he would commit softie serious crime. His threats, however, had no effect on Mr Tole, who could not see liia way to grant Butler's request. A prisoner m gaol here, named Richard Farrell, ha« forwarded a petition to the Minister ol Justice, praying tobe released, on the groud that he is 75 years ot age and has been m gaol twenty "-years.;-' Farrell wa» sentenced to death on^the Ist of February, IBG6, for the: murder ot his mate at Napier. The sentence was commuted to penal servitude for life, and he has now served 20 years m gaol. Nothing has been decided m this case, but it is improbable that he will be released. A prisoner who had been sentenced „tp life fpr murder, and after serving 15 ■j^&re was liberated 12 months ago, writes; to Cnief Gaoler Garvey from New South- Wales, that he is doing well and earning from £4 to £o a week there.