THE CONDEMNED CONVICTS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2381, 3 November 1880, Page 2

THE CONDEMNED CONVICTS.

SECOND EDITION

The Executive yesterday resolved to commute the capital sentence on Joe the Fijian to imprisonment for life, the reason being that on two previous occasions he had shown symptoms of insanity. It was also decided not to interfere with the sentence of Ah Lee, whose execution at the Dunedin gaol lias been fixed for S a m on Friday, Bishop Neville has been unremitting in his exertions to obtain a respite for this convict. A telegram from Naseby, in which neighborhood the murder of Mrs Young took place, says : —The interference of Bishop Neville with Ah Lee’s sentence has caused surprise and indignation here. The people are distressed at being placed in the position of clamoring for the man’s execution, but a strong determination is expressed that the law shall not be tampered with. Apart from the strength of the legal case the strongest moral conviction exists of the prisoner’s guilt, and it is known here that when in expectation of a pardou he described every circumstance connected with the murder. His protestations of innocence after conviction were fully expected, since there was no hope in any other direction. It is known here that Leung Chung is, or was, in training under the Bishop as a missionary, and those knowing the Chinese character will understand how his sympathy has been worked on. The whole of the Dunedin papers concur in the justice of Ah Lee’s sentence and the final decision of the Executive will doubtless realise general approval.