West Coast Times FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1867.

West Coast Times, Issue 705, 27 December 1867, Page 2

West Coast Times FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1867.

The following telegrams in the Chribtchureh papers gives tho latest Wellington and Auckland news: — "Wellington, December 21. — Mr Carlctou has tabled a motion in the Auckland Provincial Council, that the present form of Local Government bo discontinued, and substituting in lieu thereof a Governor acting under the advice of tho Colonial Ministry, a member of which to be resident at Auckland. All primary legislation to rest with tho General Assembly. District Boards and Municipalities to be constituted for purely local affairs. Until this scheme is carried into execution the Government to be discharged by a Superintendent acting under instructions fx'om Wellington. — It is rumored that letters to-day indicate tho probability of the Duke's visiting Wellington only. — The Assembly is further prorogued to January 31."

The Provincial Council of Canterbury has been further prorogued by proclamation from the Superintendent, and is now summoned to meet for dispatch of business on the 14th February.

The meeting of the Benevolent Society,convened by advertisement for last evening.lapsed in consequence of the non-attendance of subscribers. The wretched state oi the weather, and the fact of its being boxing night, were quite sufficient to account for this.

Shortly before eleven la9t night tho firebell pealed forth its warning note, and the alarm proved in this instance not a false one. It appears that the roof of a detached cottage, situated about half a mile up tho Hau Hau Tramway, was observed by some passers by to be on fire. The alarm was at once given, and a calico erection which was threatened by the flames.which had gained complete mastery over the building, was promptly pulled dowu. The proprietress, Mrs Randall, had gone to the Theatre about 8 o'clock, leaving a fire burning in one of tho rooms, aud it is inferred from the place where the flames first issued, that it must by some means have communicated with the woodwork of the building, which, owing to the inflammable nature of the material of

which it was composed, was iv a fow minutes completely destroyed. The Volunteer Fire Brigade turned out with praiseworthy promp-

titude, but owing to the distance of the spot from town their assistance was of little avail.

We gather the following particulars of the execution of the convict Robert Wilson, from the " Evening Mail" of the 20th instant : —

" The execution took place on Friday morning, within the gaol at Nelson. At eight o'clock the Sheriff presented himself at the door of the cell in which the prisoner was confined, and demanded his body from the Gaoler. Wilson was then pinioned, and on being led out jnlo the corridor, was asked by the Sheriff if he desired to say anything, to which ho replied, ' I have nothing to say.' These wero the only words to which he gave utterance. The procession then started, tho prisoner, being attended by tho Rev. Father Chareyrei who had been with him from an early hour that morning. On reaching the Scaffold, Wilson ascended the steps, Father Charey re

rendering him some slight assistance, and having been placed on the drop, the rope was adjusted, the cap drawn over his face, and the priest, standing by his side, went on reading the ' Recommendation of a departing soul.' In a few seconds the bolt was drawn, and the unfortunate man was launched into eternity. Although the rope had become displaced, the noose being at the back of the head, no movement of the body was discernible, and ho evidently died very easily, though the pulse did not cease to beat for seventeen minutes from the moment when the drop fell. After hanging for about half-an-hour the body was cut down, and a jury having been summoned an inquest was held upon it previous to its interment in a grave which had been dug on the hill at the back of tho gaol on Tuesday last. About fifteon persons were present at the execution, and tho proceedings altogether formed a most marked contrast to the scene which took placo at tho execution of the Mauugatapu murdorers. The Rev. Mr Garin visited him the night before, and reniaiued with him until lon o'clock, when ho went to bod aud slept soundly, although th° noise made by the carpenters engaged in putting up tho scuffbld was painfully audible at some distan ce from the gaol. The warder who visited his cell at four a.m. found him still sleeping calmly, and at five ho was arousedj and occupied himself in prayer until the arrival of Father Chareyre at half-past six o'clock. He repeatedly expressed himself as being " perfectly happy" and quite resigned to his fate. As we have already stated, since Saturday last he had only partaken of milk and eggs in very small quantities, and being consequently reduced to a most pitiable stale of weakness, it was expected that he would require to be carried up to the scaffold. On the contrary, however, he mounted the steps with little or no assistance, and obeyed tho injunctions as to his position, &c, on the scaffold most calmly. The man who performed the odious office of executioner was, we arc informed by the gaol authorities, not a convict, but a man of very advanced ago, who had volunteered his services, and who showed far greater 6igns of trepidation than the unfortunate prisoner himself. As may be inferred from the foregoing details, Wilson died without making any public confession of hi 3 guilt, and any declaration which ho may have made to his priest sub sir/illo concessionis, it is almost neerTt-ss to add, carraever be divulged.