The Exectution of Winiata.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4248, 12 August 1882, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Exectution of Winiata.

Winiata was executed on the morning. of the 4th instant at Auckland. He protested his innocence to the last. Winiata stepped out of his cell and walked firmly towards the scaffold, Rodding to the sheriff and spectators. The Bey. Mr Wallis, who has been with him since the trial, ascended the scaffold with the murderer, and repeated prayers for the dying. Winiata said :—" Friends, Europeans, I am going to give my body to be killed. Listen to me all you. My hands did, not kill that European. This/is *«fe end of my body. I have now a word to say to God" (raising his eyes to heaven, he continued) "I am delivering my soul into Thy hands, remember me when I come unto Thy Kingdom. This is all I have to say." The cap was then adjusted over his head, and on a signal from the sheriff, the executioner drew the bolt. The scaffold was so constructed that immediately the drop was drawn, the criminal disappeared from the sight of the spectators, all the lower portion of the scaffold being boarded up. On examination the neck was found to have been broken, the head hanging back. The. doctors state signß of life were risible for eight minutes after hanging. After half an hour the body was taken down and placed on a coffin at the foot of the :scaffold, and a formal inquest held. Jjfo person claiming the body, the Coroner ordered it to be buried within the preeinets. of, the gaol. , The executioner was a convict about 24 years of age, of *hort stature and stoutbuild. He ig said to have executed Hiroki, Walsh, and Ah Lea, in the and three murderers in New South Wales. The Herald makes the following state-' ment regarding Winiata's execution:— t t Through the crevices the: executioner could ;beu,plainly seen engaged in the horrible task of .tugging at the suspended plan's legs for the purpose of completing the

strangulation, while Winiata writhed and twisted in a sicfceningjmanner. Gradually however; the sounds of choking and stifled breathing died away, the violentvibrations of the rope ceased, and ten minutes after the bolt was pulled the: executioner came forth from his ghastly-work and slipped away. The whole proceedings were of ihe most barbarous and scandalous character, and were a disgrace to our humanity and civilization. _ The £500 for the capture-of Winiata was paid Barlow on Tuesday, the Bth mat. Confession of Winiata. ; ; It has transpired that on the night prior to the execution of Winiata, he sent an admission of his guilt to his brother. . , Some Upper Waikato natives have! issued a proclamation offering £1000, or, 5000 acres* of land to any person deliver;. ing Barlow into their hand?:" ' '■"■" ' __ i .j.,,'..-. 1} "<'t