Winiata's Last Conversation.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4242, 5 August 1882, Page 2

Winiata's Last Conversation.

Rev. Wallis asked him how he felt at the prospect of his end. Winiata replied that he had no fear at all. When he came to the prison some weeks ago he felt conscious of his many sins from his childhood, and the remembrance of' them made him very sad, but since the trial, his thoughts had been directed to the duty of preparation for Heaven, and he had prayed earnestly for forgiveness. He now believed that forgiveness had been granted him, and felt perfectly free from all fear of death, as he was going into the presence of his Heavenly Father ;.that He knew all about the crime, and tbat his (Winiata's) hand was never lifted up to murder" Packer. God knew that he was innocent, and therefore he had no fear of standing is His presence. Mr WallJs further informed our reporter that yesterday (Thursday) -Winiata wrote to his younger brother now in the King country, and in the letter he used the same words as those which he uttered on the scaffold, "Remember me when Thou comesfc into Thy Kingdom." He also j wrote the following sentence : "As one of the thieves on the cross aaid to the other, ' I am receiving what is my due,' so I say I also am receiving what is my due." Referring to this sentence, the Rev. Mr Wallis said, " Then you now confess that you did the deed?" Winiata: No, not at all. I did not mean that as a confession. Rev. Wallis: What do you mean by that sentence ? The Europeans who see your letter will construe it into an acknowledgment of your guilt. They will say that you are only receiving your due. | Winiata: I mean just this—God has promised to give eternal life to those who believe in Him, and I am -now going to receive what he has promised to them. 2?3V.. Wallis: You had better not send that letter in that form, because it will mislead people. Then, am Ito distinctly understand that you were not a party to the'murder? Winiata : My hand never touched him. The rev. gentleman says he has been from the first convinced that Winiati did not actually commit the murder, though he thinks Winiata was' complicated ia it. He thinks the murder was committed early in the. morning, perhaps between two and three o'clock. He. says: I have ■■•*' no doubt that Winiata was a party to the murder, that he and the half-caste had arranged to commit the c/ime, but the half caste got there first, at the time appointed, and when Winiata reached the place (two hoars later) he found the deed had been done, and then made off.

He (Mr Wallis) asked Wmiata this morning: Why did you run away, if you were innocent of the murder? why did you not stay at Cleghorn's ? Winiata : I was afraid they would suspect me, and therefore ran away.