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Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2655, 18 July 1889, Page 2

The Wellington Press comment very strongly on the verdict of guilty returned by the jury against Chemis, the prisoner tried for the murder of Hawkins, at Kaiwarra ; and the police are severely taken to task for the lax manner in which they investigated the circumstances of the crime. There is no doubt that the evidence upon which the man Chemis has been convicted and sentenced to death, was purely circumstantial, and of a most extraordinary kind. It is so remarkable that there is aw impression ou the public miud that it eaunot he considered strong enough or conclusive enough to enforce the extreme penalty of tli3 law. It is one of those rare cases, in the absence :>f clear direct proof, where it would lie running a great risk of sacrificing an innocent man, and where the public can pray the Crown to exercise its prerogative of clemency by commuting the sentence to one of imprisonment for life. The law is merciful as well as just, and there can be no doubt the Governor will receive the petition presented to him by the Wellington people, and grant Chemis a reprieve.