BRITISH AND CONTINENTAL NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 21 May 1915, Page 8

BRITISH AND CONTINENTAL NEWS.

MINING MAGNATES KILLED

GERMAN SPY'S SUICIDE

HANGS HIMSELF IN PRISON

(Received May 21, 12.30 p.m.)

LONDON, May 20. Sir George Farrar (chairman of the East Rand ± >roprie.tar.y Mines) who was serving with General Botha's staff, was killed in a railway accident at Gibeon.. The German spy Ruefferle committed suicide by hanging himself with a scarf to a ventilator at Brixton prison. He left the following message on a slate: "I am a soldier with a rank which I do not desire to mention. I had a fair trial, but am unable to stand the strain longer. I would have preferred to be shot, but do not wish to ascend a scaffold." A Masonic sign followed these words and the letter concluded: I cannot be a liar and perjurer. lam not dying as a spy, but as a soldier. What I have done I have done for mv country."