REPRIEVE REFUSED

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12008, 10 December 1924, Page 7

REPRIEVE REFUSED

YOUNG MURDEEER AT HULL “THERF, WILL BE MURDER AND BLOODSHED,” SAYS M.P. APPEALS TO THE KING. Bv Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian aiu! N Cable- Association (Received December 9. 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, December 8. Despite the unprecedented demonstrations. which were continued at Hull to-day, by means of thousands of telegrams to the King, the Prime Minisj rieer. and the Home Secretary, and Iplso by deputations to the two latter, in favour of reprieving William Smith, the Home Office annpunces that the representations have offered no ground tor justifying a reprieve. Commander J. .Kenworthy, M.P., one of the deputationists, stated on his errival m 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 a riot and bloodshed if something is pot done. There would liuve been a general strike in Hull to-day if Sir William Joynsoh-Hicks (the Homo Secretary) had not agreed to see the deputation.” PICKETING THE PRISON. Intercession services and meetings of protest were held throughout the day in Hull, and arrangements wpre made, to have pickets continuously outside the prison, with a view to interceoting the hangman on : his arrival. Smith’s mother has arranged to pray outside the gaol all night long. The murder itself did not attract wide attention, but tlie newspapers. agree that never previously has there been such a general, demand for a reprieve. The demand is based on Smith’s age (28 years), his previous blameless character, and his fine war record, and che fact tbit he immediately gave himself up after the crime, at the moment of which, he Eaid. he temporarily “saw red-”

ALL APPEALS FUTILE

CROWD MARCHES TO' GAOL. EMOTIONAL SCENES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received December 10, 0.6 ’n.in.) j LONDON, December 9. j Early yesterday morning aj telegraffi was sent to His Majesty pleading far the exercise of his prerogative to reprieve Smith. It' 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 reprieve. The scenes have been strikingly similar to tnose in an Australian case earlier in the year. The Home Secretary was deeply moved during his interview with the deputation. He sat with his head in his hands, and said no one felt the responsibility more. Even the brother of the murdered woman has telegraphed to .the Home Secretary on behalf of his murdered sister: “'I pray you to grant reprieve.” Late at night an organised crowd marohed to the prison and sang hymns within the hearing of the condemned man. A large force of police prevent-, ed a disturbance. The mother when told there would be no reprieve, said: “There is no justice, lam going to pray aloho.” : 1 Smith was sentenced to death for killing a .woman with whom he lived, because he suspected her fidelity'.