Execution of Natives.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8191, 17 May 1906, Page 3

Execution of Natives.

Tlie Scene

Richmond made history to-day (says a correspondent of the Cape Argus under date April 2) when the murderers of SubInspector Hunt and Trooper Armstrong were executed. The morning train from Maritzburg to Richmond carried its full complement of passengers. These included all the available men of the field force of the Natal police, to the number of 160. Shortly after ten o'clock the 12 condemned men, handcuffed in threes, were marched up from the gaol to the Magistrate's Court by a detachment of police. There was nothing in their appearance to indicate that they were shortly to pay the penalty as murderers. Apparently their ages ranged from something like 50 to j outhfulness. The scene at the little Richmond Courthouse at half-past ten was not calculated to convince one that the eye of the Empire was on it. The 12 manacled murderers occupied the long desk-like prisoners' box, and behind was the detachment of police responsible for them. The Court consisted of the militia officers who originally pronounced sentence of death, Colonel Weighton, Colonell Hair, Major Knott, Captain Capsticli, and Lieutenant Pybus, with Lieutenant Raymond as reserve. When the Court made its appearance the murderers who were to die gave voice to " Bayete." There is, by the way, something to be recorded concerning the last hours of the prisoners. They have been allowed to see their women folk during the past few days, and spent last night in praying and singing the old Ivolwai. Nkanda has visibly altered during the time of his incarceration. Originally he was a fine, big native. To-day he was thin and haggard. The demeanour of the prisoners after their " Bayete " to the Court was apparently one of complete resignation. That of the two youngest almost amounted to unconcern, during the interpreting of Colonel Weighton's address. The Rev. A. J. Fryer, in his robes, also occupied a position on the magisterial dais. The little room was crowded to the doors when Colonel Weighton stood up to address the prisoners. Colonel Weighton read the charge, pointed out that every facility had been given them to prove their guiltlessness, and then read the verdict of the court-martial, which had been confirmed by the Governor. He dwelt on the lieinousness of the crime. The prisoners stood it stolidly, and were again removed to the gaol, from which they were to be conveyed to the place of execution, half-a mile out of the village, by ox-waggon. Down in the valley just outside the village two trenches had been, dug for

the disposal o£ the bodies. Irr -Jroat of these six of the condemned men' »4ood. Before them, at about 20 paces, firing line of 30 Natal police. Two chiefs and perhaps 100 natives who had Wen brought in to see the execution iurmed another side of the square, anc? in front of all was the field ioree of police, armed, with bayonets fixed. At twenty minutes to twelve, half the murderers prepared for their death. The local vicar spoke to them for the last time, they were blimlfolde-j. and stood with their bat-Ks tt> the rifles I THe order was given, and the shots of 30 riffea rang out, and simultaneously the six men sank slowly and were buried immediately. Colonel lioyston delivered an address to the assembled natives, including the cbief Mskofeli. After a delay of twenty minutes,owing to the panic of the driver of the tumbril, who ran away, the second batch took their places at the trench, acd were likewise disposed of.