RETURN FROM PRISON

Otago Witness, Issue 3829, 2 August 1927, Page 30

RETURN FROM PRISON

HORATIO BOTTOMLEY’S RELEASE PtoA-NS FOR THE FUTURE. LONDON, July 30. Mr Horatio Bottomney, with- a decade added to his life owing to healthy prison discipline, talked business with a view to his rehabilitation less than five hours after his return to his pretty Sussex home, where he resided for 30 years. The villagers of Dicker worship him, and believe implicitly in him, and they went almost frantic with joy. They beflagged the single street and hurried-around to gather up the band, members of which were working in the fields. Mr Bottomley returned in a luxurious limousine, and his first act, after an affectionate reunion with his wife and daughter, was to change into white flannels and blue blazer. He has always been scrupulously careful of his personal appearance. His • business acquaintances called in limousines, and representatives of newspaper syndicates had a long audience. Another caller was his racehorse trainer, and this is interpreted to mean that he hopes to return to the turf. As the day wore on great crowds gathered outside, obviously anxious to congratulate him. Several charabanc parties arrived from neighbouring places, but only those concerned with the business were admitted. Tn the course of the afternoon Mr Bottomley strolled in the grounds to be photographed. He is exIpected to make his first public appearance on Monday to present his own shield to the Dicker Football Club. Mr Bottomley’s five years in prison were full of incident. His articles dealing with life therein were smuggled out and published, this resulting in the punishment of the warder responsible. At first Mr Bottomley took his confinement badly and wrote of it: “God! The bell I suffer.” Latterly he became reconciled to his lot. Ho was at first given work in the printing department, and later was engaged in repairing library books. He has been released on ticket of leave, and mustreport to the police monthlv during tho 21 months of his unexpired term.