HORATIO BOTTOMLEY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 15 November 1926, Page 7

HORATIO BOTTOMLEY

FARING WELL IN PRISON. ENTERING ON LAST ROUND. Horatio Bottomley lias entered upon the last 12 months of his imprisonment, and is eagerly looking forward to his release. This, he expects, "will take place about August next year. He is very lit and well —better in health, in fact, than he has been for many years, and is enthusiastically laying plans for his future. “It is sufficient to say now,’’ says the News of the World, “that Horatio Bottomley intends to unee more cut a very big figure in punlie life. Despite his downfall, BottoiriIcy has -till many friends in all grades of society, and, unlike most ticket-ot-leave men, he will leave gaol with every opportunity to redeem the past and make good.” Sentenced in May, 1922, to seven years penal servitude for fraudulent transactions in connection with the Victory Bond Club. Bottomley, except- for the first few months of his incarceration, when he was very depressed and in illhealth, has never lost his hope or his courage. Pending the hearing of Ins appeal before the Court of Criminal Appeal and the conclusion of his examination in bankruptcy, he was confined rn Wormwood Scrubbs Prison, f roin there he was removed to Maidstone Gaol a convict establishment, where he has remained ever since. It was generally anticipated that Bottomley would stay at Maidstone only a few months and then go to-Parkburst Prison, in the Isle of Wight, whore nianv other fraudulent financiers and people of similar position have served their sentences. But Bottomley found that the air and general conditions at Maidstone suited him very well, and when the question of removal to Parkhurst cropped up, he asked to be allowed to remain at Maidstone. A convict who gains full marks for good conduct while in gaol has a quarter of his sentence remitted, and as Bottomley has earned full marks, he expects to be act at liberty about the middle of August next year, when he will have served five ’’ears" and three months. In that case he will be granted a ticket-of-leave extending over the remaining period of 21 months. HOPES FOR THE FUTURE. Ordinarily*a convict on license is compelled to report- to the police once a month, either at the police station nearest to his-residence, or to the Convict Record Office at New Scotland Yard, as he may elect, but, no doubt, in the case of Horatio Bottomley, other arrangements will be made. Most ticket-of-lcave men leave prison friendless and forlorn —the only friends they have are fellow crooks, but Bottomley will have a host of friends to welcome him back to freedom.

A very close friend of Bottomley, who was permitted to visit him recently, gives a graphic description of his life in the prison infirmary, of his mental outlook, and of his sanguine hopes for the future. It should be explained that Bottomley’s continued incarceration in the infirmary is not due to illness. To the contrary. He is keptt here solely because he is able-to maintain his health - far better than ho would in customary quarters, and to move him thither would court the risk of a relapse.

111-founded rumours which have been circulated, that Bottomley is a mere shadow of his former self, and a “bag of hones.” may be entirely dismissed, lie has certainly lost weight—actually

;U stone —but, in his own words, thi.B has been a “blessing in disguise.” As :i result of Ids treatment, lie declares that he has been “granted an entirely new lease of life.” so that when he turns Ids back on the portals of his prison his friends will greet a new, rejuvenated ‘Bottomlcy, with his great mental powers substantially increased. “CORRECTOR OF THE PRESS.” As the time draws nearer to freedom. Bottomlcy contentedly plays chess, reads extensively, and carries out conscientiously his duties as librarian .ml “Corrector of* the Press.” in regard to the functions of the latter post, he humorously remarked to his friend that he had never joined the union, and is wondering what the 'shop steward” will say upon his return. The post involves" the reading of proofs of cho Maidstone Prison magazine, The Star of Hope, of which Bevan, the city financier, who is also serving his sentence at Maidstone, was at one time editor. Above all other things, Bottomlcy has concentrated upon plans for his future, and lie promises that when they arc disclosed they will startle the world. Bottomley surveyed the years ahead by depleting himself to his friend as a lighter. “How goes the fight?” he exclaimed with dramatic emphasis. “What light'/” a visitor asked. With a calm air of reminiscence he replied, “It takes me hack to the Albert Hall. A big light is in progress. Four rounds ■—four years —have been fought. The gong has sounded for the fifth and last round. .Bottomlcy is heating down the adversary of time and the professional ringside men. When 'Time' was ealiod at the commencement his followers were few —only himself and a handful of loyalists.” Here he paused, smiling wistfully, and then, in firm tones, resumed. “ 'Time’ will be called at the end.” he declared, “and then who will he there? And who will not be there?” THE VICTORY BOND CLUB. Those who have retained their faith in this extraordinary man, says the News of the World, still aver that, given lime, he would have rehabilitated himself in the eyes of the world and put Ihe tangle of his affairs in’perfect order. Be that as it may, Bottomlcy expressed his determination to pursue the matter until he is “all square,” when he

is free. Hi: told his friend that he ha.: set his course toward that gaol, and will not relax his efforts until he has ittained it. It is his consuming ambition to put matters right with the members of the Victorv Bond Club.

“Ifis sentence was a terrible blow,” declares BotfomJey’s friend, “but he is bearing it like a man. Even the prison officials will vouch for this, and they say they .will be sorry to lose him.”