THE EXECUTION OF MAKAORE.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 358, 1 October 1889, Page 2

THE EXECUTION OF MAKAORE.

RESULT OF THE INQUEST.

JURY DENOUNCE CAPITAL PUNISH-

(FROM OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Napier, last night.

Makaore, the murderer of Bobsrt Gollan, of Mahia, was executed on Saturday morning. The hangman was very slow in preparing tbe culprit tor the noose, but succeeded in bringing about instantaneous death when the drop fell, the body not showing a quiver. It transpired at a subsequent inquest that death resulted from s broken neck, the severance of the vertebrae being very thorough, Makaore did not confess. In the early part of his occupancy of the condemned cell he denied his guilt several times, and said he was the victim of a conspiracy to get him killed, but he ceased to make these assertions as tbe last day drew nearer, He had arranged to take the Sacrament on Friday last, but later on he asked to have it administered at 6.30 o’clock on the morning of the execution, so that it should be bis last act. It was thought he intended to confess at that time, but he contented himself with admitting he had been a very wicked man, and subsequently made no further reference to tbe murder. His three children bade him farewell early on Saturday morning, and at his own request three Maori prisoners in Napier gaol (among them Waatara Wi, awaiting trial on aoharge of murdering Turanga KxraurU) were allowed to go and wish him farewell. Something similar took place when Haira te Pert was executed for the Pook murders. Makaore was then awaiting trial, and rubbed noses and shook hands with Haira then as on Saturday Waatara Wi rubbed noses and shook hands with Makaore.

At the inquest on the body of Makaore the jury wished to add two riders to their verdict, One was that it was inadvisable to continue capital punishment for murder, and the other that all criminals sentenced to death should be executed in a central town, as executions in small communities were demoralising in effect.

The Coroner, said in relation to the first, tbe question was one that should be brought under the notice of Members of the House, and he could accept no rider of the kind. He promised to forward tbe other recommendation to the proper quarter. Makaore’s three children, two boys and a girl, returned to Mahia in the steamer Weka on Saturday afternoon.