Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1883-08-18 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

INTERVIEW WITH MARWOOD.  With reference to the unfortunate hitch which recently occurred at the execution at Durham of James Burton, for the murder eta woman near Sunderland, the Horncastle correspondent of the Brea Association hae had an interview with Marwood, the public executioner. Marwood, he says, appeared quite indifferent to the criticism of the newspapers M the North, and elated that they had exaggerated the miahap, which he acknowledged had occurred. "Some of the reporters," he added, have their knivm in me, as they think it is I who have to do with their exclusion ; " but he stated he would as soon have reporters present at executions as not, as he was willing to meet them all as long as they would write the truth. He asserted that there had never been a bungle on hit part at an execution yet. Referring to the recent execution, he said everything was well arranged, as at other times The culprit walked from his cell with a weak step, and was duly pinioned and placed on the drop. The noose was properly fixed, but on Marwood leaving and going to the lever the culprit fainted and fell backwards, and in falling his left elbow was caught in the slack of the rope, but this did not occur until after the lever had been pulled by the executioner. Marwood, without a moment's delay, raised the culprit to the edge of the pit, and removed the rope from his elbow instantly, letting him fall back again into the pit below, and dislocation of the neck took place immediately. If the man had not fainted no accident would have occurred. He emphatically denied that the noose slipped on to the face of the man. It never moved an inch from where it was placed, and it never had to be adjusted. Questioned as to his opinion of the system, he affirmed that it was the most humane and the quickeet in the whole world. As to the insinuationa of being drunk, Marwood declares that it is , quite false, as he had only a cup of tea that morning. In regard to the statement that his ropes had been exhibited on the previous Sunday, Marwool states that they were never seen by anyone in Durham till the Monday, when they were placed on the gallows. Referring to the charge of his parading the streets of Durham with the same pride as a victorious army General and refusing private quarters in the prison, Marwood again states that all this is far from truth. It, understood that there was no accommodation for him in the gaol, so he went to an hotel; but he was never out of the door, only when , engaged on his business to and from the gaol. "The prison,” he added, 'is the fittest place for me to stay in, and I always stay there if I am allowed."  AT the Huddersfield Bankruptcy Court. Mr. Charles Mills, solicitor, recently appealed to the judge to adjudicate Mr. Henry Hirst, junior, who is an alderman of the borough of Huddersfield, and has been well known in connection with municipal politics—a tankrupt. He also made a further application for an interim injunction restraining the landlord from distraining for rent. It appears that a meeting of creditors was lately held, when the landlord's agent agreed to accept the security of the receiver for the rent, and also agreed to resolutions pledging the creditors to wind up the estate in bankruptcy. Though he did so, he entered upon the premises; and, notwithstanding that he was warned that he would be held personally liable for trespass. he distrained for £llOO rent. His Honour immediately granted the interim iWunction... .  THE Newport (Mon.) Harbour Commission, one of the wealthiest public bodies in the district have received intimation from the surveyor of to or that in future they will be required to pay income tax on their surplus profits. Last yeses surplus was £2OOO. The decision on which the claim is based was come to recently by the House of Lords in regard to the Mersey Dock and Harbour Trust. The decision has a retrospective character, and much surprise was evidently felt when the clerk stated that accounts form many years as could be procured were demanded on behalf of the Inland Revenue Commissioners.  AT the A.mptbill Petty Sessions, Bedford, • farmer ziamed Thomas Eattanes, of Lidlington, was recently summoned for employing four boys under 13 years of age. Ile was fined £2 and 13s. 6d coots In each case. A month ago he was fined Ll and cats tor each of three boys whom be had illegally employed.