A CONDEMNED MAN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 10 December 1924, Page 7

A CONDEMNED MAN.

INTERCESSION SERVICES

UNPRECEDENTED SCENES,

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT

LONDON, Dec. 8. . Despite unprecedented demonstrations which continued at Hull to-day by means-of thousands of telegrams to the King, the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary (Sir W. JoynsonHieks), and deputations to the two latter in favour of reprieving William Smith, a young boiler-maker, who was sentenced to death for the murder ofi a woman, the Home Office announces that the representations offered ,iio ground for justifying a reprieve. Mr J. M. Kenworthy (a member of the House of Commons), who was one of the'deputafcionists, stated on his arrival in London that he had never seen anything like the spontaneous outburst of feeling among all classes in Hull in favour of the condemned man. Mr Kenworthy added: “There will be a riot of bloodshed if something is not done. There would have been a general strike in Hull to-day if Sir W. JoynsonHicks had-not agreed to see the deputation.

Intercession services and meetings of protest were held throughout the day in Hull, and it was arranged' to have, pickets continuously outside the prison with a view to intercepting the hangman’s arrival. Smith’s mother arranged to pray outside the gaol all night long. The murder itself did not attract wide attention, but the newspapers agree that there has never previously been such a general demand for a reprieve, which is based on Smith’s age (26), his previous blameless character, and fine war record, and the fact that he immediately gave himself up after the crime, at the moment ,of which he said he temporarily “saw’red.”

LONDON, Dec. 9. JEarly yesterday morning a telegram was sent to His Majesty pleading the exercise of his prerogative and the reprieve of Smith. The telegram was signed by the. Lady Mayoress of Hull, the sheriff and the president of the trades council. There is not the slightest indication, however, of a respite.

The scenes have been strikingly similar to the Australian ease earlier in the year. The Home Secretary was deeply moved during the interview with the deputation, and sat with his head in his hands. He said: “No pne feels the responsibility more. ” Even the brother of the murdered woman sent a telegram to .Sir W. JoynsonHicks: “On behalf of my murdered sister I pray you to grant a reprieve. ” Late at night an organised crowd marched to the prison and sang hymns within hearing of the condemned man. A large force of police prevented a disturbance. The mother, when told that there would be no reprieve, said: “There is no justice. I am going to pray alone.”