EXECUTION OF AH LEE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 316, 9 November 1880, Page 2

EXECUTION OF AH LEE.

(From the Otago Daily Times). The criminal Ah Lee paid the last penalty of the law at 8 o’clock yesterday morning. He met bis fate with the characteristic indifference of his race, the only evidence of emotion being exhibited by slight muscular tremor when on the gallows aud just before the falling of the drop. The night previous, he passed in unbroken sleep, and partook in the morning of his usual breakfast. Bishop Neville, whose efforts ; on belialf of the criminal have been, as is well known, untiring, withdrew from his final interview with him a few minutes before 8. Without needless delay Ah Lee was f inioned, and ait once conducted to the gallows in the prison yard, where Mr Torrance offered up a prayer, having previously asked him if he had anything to ; say regarding the 1 murder. Ah Lee, however, again asserted his innocence. The arrangements for the execution were of the i most perfect description. Precisely at 8 o’clock the drop fell, and without a struggle or convulsion of any kind Ah ; Lee ceased to live. The body remained suspended for an hour, and was then taken down. At noon the coroner, Dr Hocken, held an inquest upon the body. This was of a formal character. Mr Gordon, the sheriff, deposed that Ah Lee had been

seasion yf for which of death had' beelfpaased upon liim'by his Honor Mr Justice Williams. Mr Caldwell, governor, of the Gaol, depose! to' the sentence having been canied into effect by » person duly authorised by the sheriff to act as executioner. He stated that Ah Lee was about. 24. years of age, a native of the neighbourhood of 'Canton, an married a miner by occupation, and a Oonfucian by religious belief. Dr Burns, the gaol surgeon, certified to the mode of death and its instautaneousness.. The Jury returned a., .verdict of . “ Justifiable, homicide, ;