EXECUTION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 301, 20 December 1867, Page 2

EXECUTION.

The execution of Robert Wilson, convicted at the last assizes of ihe murder of James Lennox, took place this morning within the gaol, at eight o'clock, at whi *h hour the Sheriff presented himself at the door of the cell iu which the prisoner was confined (the same which was occupied by Burgess previous to his execution), and demauded his body from the Gaoler. Wilson was then pinioned, aod ou being led out into the corridor, was asked by the Sheriff if he desired to say anything, to which he replied, ' L have nothing to say.' These were (he only words to which he gave utterance. The procession then started, the prisoner, who was a Roman Catholic, beiug attended by the Rev. Father Chareyre, who had been with hira from an early hour this morning. On reaching the scaffold, Wilsoa, who was evidently much reduced by the meagre diet to which he had restricted himself since theannouncement had been made to him that the warrant had beeu signed for his execution, ascended the steps, Father Chareyre rendering him some slight assistance, and having been placed ou the drop, the rope was adjusted, the cap drawn over his face, and the priest, standing by his side, went on reading the •Recommendation of a departing soul.' In a few seconds the bolt was drawn, and the unfortunate man was launched into eternity. Although the rope had become displaced, the noose being at the back of the head, no movement of the body was discernible, and he evidently died very easily, though the pulse did not cease to beat for 17 miuutes from the moment when t..e drop fell. After hanging for about half an hour the body was cut down, and a jury having beeu summoned au inquest was held upon it previous, to its interment in a grave which had been dug on the hill at the back of the gaol on Tuesday last. About 15 persons were present at the execution, and the proceedings altogether formed a most marked contrast to the scene which took place at the execution of the Maungatapu murderers. The Rev. Father Garin visited Wilson last night and remained with him until 10 o'clock, when he went to bed and slept soundly (as he had also done on the previous night), although the noise made by the carpenters engaged io putting up the scaffold in the adjoining yard was painfully audible at some distance from the gaol. The warder Tvho visited his cell at 4 a.m. found him still sleeping calmly, and et five he was aroused, when, haviug washed himself, Wilson, after asking for a glass of water, occupied himself iu prayer until the arrival of Father Chareyre at half-past 6 o'clock. He repeatedly expressed himself as being 'perfectly happy' and quite resigned to his fate. In fact on Weduesday morning, the date originally fixed by the Sheriff for the execution (the fact of its postponement not having been communicated to him for some reason which is hardly reconcileable with humanity) he inquired at eight o'clock why he was not ' taken out to his doom,' and expressed his deep regret that his death had been delayed, inasmach as he had prepared himself to die that morning. As we have already stated, since Saturday last he had ooly partaken of milk and eggs in very small quantities, aud being consequently reduced to a most pitiable state of weakness, it was expectedthat he would require to be carried up to the scaffold. On the contrary however he mounted the steps with little or no assistance, and obeyed the. injunctions as. to his position, etc. on the scaffold most calmly., The man who performed the odious officeof executioner was, we are informed by the gaol authorities, not a convict, but a man of very advanced age, who. had volunteered his . services, and ■who showed far greater signs of trepidation than the unfortunate prisoner himself. As may be inferred from the ioregoiug details, Wilson died without making any public confession of his guilt, and auy which he may have made to his 'Priest;* sub sigillo con fession is,' it is almost { needless to add, cannever be divulged^' ■<