INTERPROVINCIAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 110, 8 May 1875, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL

Christciiorch, Friday. The execution of John Mercer for the murder of Isabella Thompson took place this morning within the pretinetsof ih> Lyttelton gao!. Mercer slept very s undly last night, and took a good breakfast. The Rev J. . -Fergusson, Pieabyterian Minister, was with him at an exrly hour this mornin<r, but he paid very little attention to religious raatteis, and appeared thoroughly careless of [his approaching fate. He was exhorted to mako a confession, and just before leaving the cell for the scaffold he wrote in a firm hand on a paper, rtferring to the murder, " I ara innocsnt of this crime." Ha walked with a firm tread to the scaffold, attended by tha Key J. JTerguason, and alter th« rope had been adjusted J:e said in a very firm voice: —•'F-.rewell gentlemen, may God have mercy on my soul," and while the cap was being drawn down he was heard to siy "An innocent roan." Up to the last moment of their being visib'e his featun swore a kind of half smile, which, however, some sai 1 was natural to him. He died very easily, only one or two faint spasms being perceptible alter the drop fell. After hanging for twenty minutes the body •was taken down and removed to the dead house. The features of the corp c were calm, and had a firm look, and were in no way d;storted. The medical examination proved that the nrck was not dislocatfd. but that he died of suffocation, and that if he bad been rebated two minutes after the drop fell he would have survived. Fourteen per ons were present at the txecuti n. The hungman was the same person who hung Cedeno, and who resides st Rung ora. Yesterday evening Mercer said to one of the gaoltis, " It will be tleuceii col i work hanging »t tight o'clock in the morning . I hope I shall he allowed an hour's -walk or a nip before it takes pace." The ships Hudson and Lady Jocelyn have cleared f< r London, taking 2500 tons of ■wheat. Stventl vessels a«e ka.iiug wheat at Tima'u for n.i'lers in the t outh. Dairy produce very scarce Auckland, Friday. A fife broke out in Chapel-street this moming, which destroyed ABher*s buildings, one teing a boardiner-honse of two storeys. There was en insufficient water supply, and theefforts of the Fire Brigade were futile in extinguishing the flames, but by throwing water, and pulling down the outhouses, the adjoining houses were snved. The fire originated apparently in the shingles outile, which burned very fiercely. The furniture was mostly saved. The stcck is valued at .£BOO. An attempt to set it on fire some momb.B ago was discovered, and defeated. Saturday. At the Rifle Association firing, Captain Morrow won the silver cup, valued at £26. Ihe score was SJ. He male five buU'a oves in succession at the 400 yards' range. The brigantine Esther, 160 tons, has just been launched for the soulhern trade. The ministers of all denomina-ions have held a conference with a view to promoting a revival, when it waa resolved to hold aa united prayer meeting vc xt Wednesday. Dcnedin, Saturday. The Governor arrived yesterday afternoon, and was met by the City Councillors and a few members of the Provincial Council. A half holiday was proclaimed, and the shops were closed. The usual address was presented - by the City Council, and the Governor, in replying, stated that he had seen enough on iiis trip down to convince him that this was a gbahead place, and he considered Dancdn

thfl cHef commercial city, of New Zealand. Half a dozen troopers rscortel the Governor into the towa, and tuiny vtl'iiitoers turned out and presented arms. His Excellency stops at Eernhill, and the nifmbers of the Club have moved to the old Press Club. Poet Chalmers, Friday. Arrived— Ship Ponland, from Hong Kong, with 5!78 ChintST immigrants. She left on March 4 She proceeds from here to Melbourne, for which p:>rt Bhe has 600 tons of cargo. Wellington, Friday. The Gazette directs the attention of masters, owners, and agents of vessels trading on the coast of New Zealand to the following clause from the Nf w Zealand Post-office Act, 1858:— Clause XXV.—" The master of every vesiel alout to proceel from any port to -any other port, shall give at least 24 hours notice at the Post-office at such port of Iris intended departure, and if the vessel <*oes not sail at the time appointed, shall also gi?e timely notice of any alteration as to period of her departure, so f b to enable postmasters or other pssial officials to be prepared to dispatch mails en board 6uch vessel, and if any such master shall refuse, fail, or neglect to give such notice, he fchall for every such offenr e forfeit and pay a penalty not exceeding £100." Tjmaeu, Saturday. At the race? on the sesond day for the Hurdle Race, all w*re scratched but Medoxa an 1 Alice Gray. The lattir won. Soutii Canterbury Handicap, two miles: Castaway won easily, time, 4min Isoc. Tradesmen's Handicap — On'y Exile and Nectar smarted, and the former won. Five were scratched. Consolation Handicap — Three started. Sonnambula, 1; Waverley, 2; Golden Grape, nowhere.