MURDERER AT HULL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1188, 10 December 1924, Page 5

MURDERER AT HULL.

APPEAL FOR REPRIEVE REFUSED UNPRECEDENTED DEMONSTRATIONS. LONDON, Dec. 3. Despite unprecedented demonstrations, which were continued at Hull to-day by means of thousands of telegrams to the King, the Prime .Minister and the iloino Secretary, also deputations to the two latter in' favour oi reprieving William Smith, the young boiler-maker condemned to death for murdering a woman, the Home Office announced that tho representations offered no ground for justifying a reprieve. Commander Konworthy, M.P.. one of the members cf a deputation, 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. Commander Kenworthy added: “There will be riot and bloodshed if something is not done. There vouhl have been a general strike ill Hull to-day if Sir W. Joyiison-Hieks had not agreed to see the deputation.” Intercession services and protest meetings were held throughout the day in Hull and it was arranged to have pickets continuously outside tho prison, with a view lo intercepting the hangman’s arrival. Smith’s mother lias arranged to pray outside the gaol all night long. The murder itself did not attract wide attention, but the newspapers agree there lias never previously been such a general demand for a reprieve, which is based on Smith’s age (26), his previous blameless character and his fine war record, and the fact that ho immediately gave himself up after the crime, at the moment of which ho said he temporarily saw red. —A. and N.Z cable.

TELEGRAM TO THE KING. LONDON. Dee. 8. Early yesterday morning a telegram was sent to ' Ilis .Majesty, pleading for the exercise of the Royal prerogative by the reprieve of Smith, signed by the Lady Mayoress of Hull. the Sheriff and tho President of the Trades Council. There is not the slightest indication, however, of any respite. The scenes have been strikingly similar to those of the Australian case earlier in the year. The Home Secretary* (Sir \\. JoynsonIlicks) was deeply moved during the interview with the •deputation., and sat with his head in hie hands! He said no one felt his responsibility* more. Even the brother of the murdered woman lift.: telegraphed 10 Sir \Y. Jojnson-Ilieks on. behalf of his murdered sister: “I pray you grant- a reprieve.” Late at night an organised crowd • marched to the prison and sang hymns within the hearing of the condemned man. A large force of police prevented a disturbance. Tho man’s mother, when told that- there would be no reprieve, said: “There is no justice. J am going to pray alone.”—A, and N.Z. cable.