EXECUTION OF Caffrey and Penn. GENERAL REFLECTIONS.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 130, 26 February 1887, Page 4

EXECUTION OF Caffrey and Perm. GENERAL REFLECTIONS.

Auckland, Feu. 21. The assertion may safely be ventured that no other crime committed within this colony has ever excited and sustained such general interest as that which is known as the Great Barrier murder. It was out of the common order of such thingß.aud in its leading incidents approximated pretty closely to " the love aud murder " stylo of fiction of which young people are usually 60 enamoured. Susceptible people, prone to this kind of literature, and ready to make ample allowance for the "pangs of despised love," alleged to ha/c been a prime factor in inciting the foul deed, invested the tv,o outlaws with quite a halo of romance, which their subsequent vicissitudes considerably heightened in celouring. And truly their chequered experience" werepaesingatrange— in thorough keeping with the kind of stern and real melodrama they had entered upon. ltd ealient stages mui»t readily recur to the mind— the opening scene of roystering conviviality in the email cabin of the Sovereign of the Seas on the eve of her departuro from Auckland — her running aground at Rangitoto in the pale dawn of the following morning, with her human freight steeped in hea^y sleep -the resumption of the voyage a few hours later, and then very early next morning the stealthy landing andcunningly-davieed plot by which the Taylors wero surprised completely oii their guard. Then the shooting of the old man and the escape of his daughters, the return of the disappointed abdnc tors to their vessel, the hoietmg of the piratical fi ig and the departure for America. An avenging Nemesis, striding the blast, wns, howevtr, already upon tho track of the fugitives, and, battled by contrary winds in their hope of maki-ig for America, they were driven upon tho Australian shore, only to be captured after a few weeks of hardship, and handed over to the sleuth - hounds of justice. After this the Police Court proceeding", the Supreme Court trial, conviction, and sentences, and then the period of suspenee before the awful fiat of the law runs itn solemn course and attains its lethal consummation.

THE NIGHT BEFORE THE EXECUTION. Yesterday the whole of Perm's family sought 3 last interview with him, and, as may be supposed, it was of a painful nature to them, Perm, however, holding up wonderfully, and being the least concerned. Those who came to eeo him consisted of Mr and Mrs Perm, sen , his wife and children, his two enters and two brothers, and also hi 3 brother-in-law. Caffrey's three sisters also came during yesterday afternoon to viait him, hi-* mother having paid her last visit on Saturday to her son. The Rev Mr Hill and Mr Brackenrie; vi.-ited the condemned men yesterday morning, and remained with them in devotional exercise until noon the relatives occupying the time until about half pa-t five, when Mr Bracking again had access to the prisoners. Ho re xnatned with them until about 7 o clock, and both he and Rev. J S. Hill p<ud a fiual visit to them during their last night on earth after the Theatre service, and remainod prayirg with the men until time to retire to rest. These gentlemen had been untiring in their exertions towards their charge*,' spiritual comfort, and were al tho gaol bofore 5 o'clock this morning for thoir laat visit. Each prisoner had pa.-pod a tolerably good night's rest, aid arose at 5 o'clock, when they waphed and attired themselves in their own clothing in place of the prison garb worn by them since conviction. They thon each partook of breakfast, aud remained with their spiritual advisers in devotional exercises until the hour of doom, ft o allusion was made to the crime they had committed, and beyond the confesson made some time ago, now in the hands of the Government, and publibhed in another column, no further admissions have been made. Nothing could havo been more pathetic yesterday while the condemned men wero lying iv their cells for the last day on which they were to live, than to hear tho prisoner*' voices in the adjacent gaol chapel plaintively einging to the accompaniment of the prison organ :—: — " Our souls lie humbled in the dust And own Thy dreadful sentence just Look down, O Lord, with pitying eye And save the souls condemned to die."

THE EXECUTION. The appearance of the morning with its bright and gladsome sunshine was strangely at variance with the sad and gloomy scene to be enacted within the walls of the gaol. In the early morning a little knot of persons might have been seen ■standing without the main gate of the grim -looking fortress, waiting for admission. The regulation for the day was that no one should be passed in until after seven o'clock, except the spiritual attendants upon the condemned men — Rev. J. S. Hill and Mr Brackenrig, and the Sheriff and Registrar. The former arrived at 5 o'clock, while M;»jor Green appeared upon the scene at a quarter to seven, and shortly after made his formal demand for poßeedsion of the bodies of the condemned men. Fourteen policemen in uniform were stationed at regular-intervals apart upon the rugged heights surrounding the ga 1, but beybnd these small 'groups? of people could be discerned patiently waiting for the consummation of the dread tragedy, but scarcely hoping to be able to see or hear aught connected with it. The little assembly at the gate slowly increased until there were present Supt. Thomson^ Sergt. Pratt and Consts. OBrien and Lamb, the reporters of the daily papers, three medical gentlemen, and Messrs Donnelly, Brady, and Crocker. At half-past 7, Dr. Phileon (District Coroner) arrived on his horee, and was instantly afforded ingress to the gaol. The period of probation for those outside lasted until eight minutes to 8 o'clock, when the postern of the massive gate opened, and « warder appeared thereat, and signalled to the pressmen to advance and produce their authorisation to enter. They were passed through in turn, and as each entered

the gaol enclosure ho was taken into a sentry box, and requested to enter his name in a book laid out for the purpose. After ail had complied with this formality they were admitted within the older portion of the gaol, whioh is Btill enclosed by its grimly-painted wooden wall. They passed along to the very rear of the gaol, and here they came in view at once upon all the droad paraphernalia for the execution of the severest penalty of justice. The Bcaffold differed from that used on a previous occasion, and there is no gainsaying the fact that the machine is an improvement upon tho old gallows, and as the subsequent event showed, worked very well. As stated, it was erected in what is known as the stone-yard, and placed at one corner, against the hard ■ labour dormitories. It is a cumbrous piece of mechanism, approached by a staircase both back and front, tho former being for the procession of culprits, wardors, &c, and tho latter for the executioner's use. A flight of ten steps reaches the platform, before which is the ominous drop, consisting of a beam '6in. square, from which was suspended the two Manilla ropes, about 3ft. apart, lashed securely round the beam several times. The trap was a double one, opening in the centre, and falling to the two sides, tho underneath part of the scaffold being; well ' padded, to prevent a rebound of the traps [ when the drop fell. The scaffold was closely boarded on two Bides, with a rail in front, and partly boarded at back with a door for the executioner, The, lever for releasing the bolt was situated On the hangman's platform at rear of the scaffold. The scaffold was only ten feet high, sufficient space being made for the drop by excavating about four feefc of the earth below. The bottom of the scaffold was securely hid from view by strong canvas fastened all round with a door at the back for the executioner's entrance. To prevent any possibility of view from the outside of the g<*ol a strong wooden partition waa erocted at the roar of the scaffold over the wooden fence dividing the wards, while two large tarpaulins were stretched across tho prison yard in front of the scaffold, and which, although secured at the bottom by being lashed to large stones, flapped in the morning breeze. As the visitors entered this yard the first object that met their gaze was the executioner, who stood immediately behind the tarpaulins and midway between the gallows and the rear wall. Some of the party immediately recognised him as the man who had been employed in a similar capacity on tha occasion of Winiata's execution. He is a young man of middle height and of powerful "build He stood, bareheaded, with his caafc off, his hands thrus-t deep into his trousers pockets, and a bandage of black rrape tied round his face, but not so thickly aa to altogether hide bis features. His preparations were evidently complete, and he was standing at hiseaee, exhibiting no eign of impatience or of nervousness. Shortly after the visitors entered ho wont out of the yard, and, returning with some leather straps in his hands, passed right through the execution yard and out into the yard occupied by the cells of refractory prisoners. A hush of oxpectaiion seemed to hold the visitors spellbound, and what little conversation took place was carried on in whispers. Suddenly two strokes of the gaol bell broke the stillness, and warned the assemblage that the fatal hour had arrived. Ere tho echo had ditid away, a warder appeared at the outer gate of the execution yard, and pointed Dr. Philson towards the inner gate, through which the prisoners were expected to pass. Simultaneously another warder appeared at this inner gate> and beckoned Dr. Fhilson to follow him, which he did. A minute or two more of anxious suspense, and then the head of the procaspion appeared' at the gate. First of all marched a couple of warderp, closely behind thorn Caffrey, in conversation with the Rev. Mr Hill, next two more warder?, then Perm, accompanied by Mr Bracken ri^r, and, bringing up the rear of the procession, two more warders. The c mderaned mon were drepsed in their own clothoy, which consisted merely of tweed troupers and white shirts. In p- little group, opposite the pate by which the prisoners entered, stood the gaoler, one or Iwo warders, Superintendent Thomson, Sergeant Prate, Constables Lamb and OBrien, and the visitors, consisting of the press reporters, Drs. Phil pon (who had rejoined the group), Walker, and Cobbatt (the other medical man previously alluded to having been refused admittance), and Messrs Donnelly, Brady, and Crocker. As the doomed men entered the execution yard the Roy. Mr Hill remarked to Caffrey that he musb not mind the presence of the few friends who had come to Bee tho 1 ist of him. Caffrey pmikd in response and appeared quite composed and resigned to his fate, evidently relieved that the euepensa he had endured was about to terminate. Perm wore a eerioua and thoughtful look, but, like Calfrey, showed no indication of trepidation or fear. Both man walked with a firm step, and did not appoar to pay any attention to the scaffold, the steps of which they mounted with a? firm a tread as those members of the procession who either preceded or followed them The executioner was already in his place, behind the cro<?B beam, and as the prisoners took their places beneath it he put them in their assigned positions facing one another, PenD occupying the intiar position (that nearest the gaol wall), and Caffrey the position nearest the front of the scaffold. Consequently Perm faced the spectator,?, and Caffrey had bid back partly turned towards them. As the two men thus turned and faced each other, their arms already pinioned, the most affecting part of the Bolemn scene took place, Perm suddenly stepping forward and kiting Caffrey, who bent forward to receive this last salute and token of reconciliation. The service then commenced, the Rev. Mr Hill and Mr Brackenrig reciting, by special request of the prisoners, their favourite hymn, " Jeaus, Lover of My Soul." Aa it was being recited, the executioner quetly and expeditiouely carried on his preparations. The only thing noticeable about the prisoners was that Perm stood quite immovable, while Caffrey merely shifted slightly the posture of his body once or twice. Caffrey was also observed once to smile in friendliness upon his unfortunate associate, but there was not the faintest approach to bravado in the demeanour of either. They seemed deeply impressed with the terrible solemnity of this last act in their misguided career, and both of them, but more especially Perm, kept their gaze directed to the sunny sky above them. As the hymn finished tho Rev. Mr Hill lifted up hie voice in prayer, and at tho same moment the executioner passed behind Perm, and drew the hideous cap of white linen down over his face, and adjusted the rope around his neck. Immediately after he crossed over to Caffrey and performed the same office for him. As the prayer proceeded the gaol bell tolled funereally at regular intervals, and a sense of oppression weighed heavily upon the feelings of all present. As the word " Amen " fell from the chaplain's lips, and ero one could draw breath, the bolt was shot, the trap doors swung back with a creaking noise, and in the twinkling of an eye the condemned men disappeared from

view into the enclosure beneath ■ i-drop of eight feet wae allowed each prisoner. The ropes stiffened to their utmost tension, and then remained stationary, exhibiting no vibration whatever, aud hardly a visible movement. What slight motion there was, was due, not to auy efforts on the part of the bodies, but to the regular oscillation resulting from the weight attached to each rope. It was clearly evident that the unfortunate oulprits must have become instantaneously unconscious, and died without the least struggle. The curtain had fallen upon the last fearful incident in the deed of blood, the rele.iUess lex tcdionis bad exacted its full satisfaction, and poor Taylors violunt death had been terribly avenged. The visitors were spared the horrible scene associated with Winiata's execution, of the executioner rushing down from the scaffold and into the enclosure, to put an end to the struggles of his victim. As we have explained, there was no occasion for such an act in this instance, and after the bolt had been ahot there was a short pause, which was not broken by movement of any kind. The executioner then Blowly dismounted, and, going to the rear of the scaffold, peered within the enclosure, and evidently assured himself that his services were not required there. The chaplains and medical gentlemen aleo returned to the ground, leaving only the two warders standing upon the gallows. As the formalities of the law make it imperative in all cases that the bodies shall hang for an hour before being cut down, and also forbid the departure of any of the pbraons present within that interval, there was nothing for the visitors to do but to await with patience their releaee. By looseness of supervision, however, one person was allowed to depart and get off into town within five minutes of the execution, and some of the others felt aggrieved that the restraint upon their liberty was not relaxed in their case also. Major Green deserves the greatest credit for the humane and completely satisfactory way in which tho execution imposed upon him to fulfil was carried out. He had taken every precaution to minimise the possibility of any hitch, and also to deprive the scene as far as possible of it? incidental horrors. It may be affirmed without the slightest hesitation that no execu1 tion in New Zealand was ever carried through more smoothly and with greater certitude.

THE APPEARANCE OP THE BODIES. At 10 minutes past 9, the Sheriff gave orders for the executioner to take down the bodies, they having hung the prescribed hour. This he proceeded to do by unfastening the ropes from the beam and lowering the bodies on to a stretcher. Perm's body was first brought out and examined by Drs. Philson and Cobbett. On removing the cap the face was found to bo much swollen, and I both the lower part of the faco and the lip* were of a deep purple colour There al^o appeared a Might stain of blood under tho right side of the chin, and a deep indention and one or two incisions caused by contact with the brass eyelet at the end of the rope. The hands were slightly discoloured, the legs straight and the feet heel to heal. The neck was dislocated. The body was carried out of the yard and placed in a padded cell. CaffVey's body was next taken down and examined by the doctore. His face was also greatly swollen and discoloured, and the lips wore a purple hue. Both men had been hanged in their shirts, trouser?, and boots, their phirt sleeves being rolled up. Caffrey's body was placed on a stretcher and placed alongside of Penn'rf to await tho inquest.

U'Hffi CONDEMNED CELLS. Our representative, having seea the bodies taken down, was next shown the cells just vacated by Caffrey and Perm These cells are eituata in a corridor containing four compartments, and known a 5 * the solitary cells. Their size is 6 feet by 8 feet, and 12 feet high, having a email grating clo-e to rhe ceiling admitting light and air. The bed is on a raiaed portion of the floor. The furniture consists of a fixed tablo and two form", besides a stiaw bed. Several tracts and reading books — euch ad " Jessica's Fir3t Prayer," " The Blood of JeeuV and Sunkey's by turn —were lying scattered about the cell floor, whilst on the email tabla lay the Bible, opon at the 54th chapter of Isaiah, which Perm had evidently bren reading when summoned by the Sherili The only extras asked for by the men wore some butter, milk and tobacco, and the remains of their last repast lay in a corner of the cell. Caffrey had occupied the fourth cell at the end of the corridor, and the same articles were observed in his compartmont that were left in bis fellow prisoner's cell, only hia books were packed away neatly in a corner, as if untouched, and he appeared fcnhave l«ft a considerable portion of hip last meal By the door lay in a heap the discarded prison clothes, whilst on the beds of each of the prisoners were thrown their own coate, vests and coHars. THE INQUEST. Precisely atflO o'clock an inquest was hold within the precincts of the gaol befoie K. C. Baretow, Ecq., Coroner, and a jury of bjx touching the death of the two prisoners executed this morning. The Coroner explained the reason of the proeeodings as being according to law (Criminal Execution Act, 1883). Mr G. F. Brimblecomb wa9 chosen foreman. A separate inquest was held on each body, that of Caffrey being taken first. The jury having viewed the bodies, tbe following evidence was taken :—: — G. S. KestOD, gaoler of H.M. pri-on, Auckland, identified the body of John Caffrey, having held him in custody bv virtue of t\ warrant (which he produced) from the Supreme Court. In pursuance of the Criminal Execution Act, 18S3, he had at 7.55 tha* morning hand 3d over the body to the Sheriff Subsequently he accompanied the condemned man to the scaffold and witnessed the sentence of death carried out in accordance with the law. Major Green (Sheriff) deposed that by virtue of his office he received a warrant (produced) under the hand of His Excellency the Governor, for the execution of John Caffrey, sentenced to death at the pittingß of the Supreme Court, held afc Auckland on fche 10th January, 1887. In pursuance of this warrant, he had made a demand for the body, which wag delivered over to him at about ten minutes to eight, duly executed at 8 o'clock. He remained until satisfied that the sentence had been carried out, Dr Phil-en proved being the medical officer of the Auckland prison. He knew the convict John Caffrey, was present that. morning afc the prisoners' execution and had pinco identified tbe body. Was satisfied after the execution that lifo was extinct. The cause of death waB strangulation by hanging. Death was instantaneous in bis opinion. Had examined the body a quarter of an hour after execution and found no pulaation. The body remained suspended one hour. Thiß was all the evidence, and the jury gave aB their verdict "That the < convict John Caffrey had been duly hanged by the neck, according to law, in pursuance of the sentence of death passed upon him." Similar evidence was given at the inquest on the body o* Henry Albert Perm, and the earns verdict returned

The bodies of Caffrey and Perm having been applied for to be interred outside the prison, the same will be given up to their friends, but not before the expiration of time allowed to elapse after execution, by the Criminal's Execution Act., viz,, eight hours-

LETTER FROM MRS. TAYLOR. The widow of the murdered man extended her forgiveness to the two condemned prisoners a few days ago in the following letter which gratified the prisoners considerably when it was read to them by tho Rev. J. S. Hill : 11 To John Caffrey and Harry Perm.— l am told by the Rev. Mr Hill that you havo asked me to forgive you before you die. You have asked a hard thing, for the wrong you have done me is very great ; but as I hope my dear husband may have received forgiveness, I now freely forgive you to the bost of my power, and pray that you may receive pardon from Him from whom we all hope to receive forgiveness and mercy.— Esther Taylor.