CABLEGRAMS

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 June 1916, Page 2

CABLEGRAMS

♦- — [ELECTRIC TELEOIIAPH—COPYRIGHT.] [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] The shooting of skeffington « ; London, June (i. At the court-martial ol" Captain' Kowen Colthurst, chargedi wth tho murder, in Ireland, oi Skeffington, Dickson and M'lntyie, the prosecutor said that in view of the evidence he demanded a verdict- of murder. Accursed s battalion of Irish Rifles was .•stationed at Portobello barracks. Three' men were brought in on the evening of the 25tli.- .Next -morning Colthurst remarked: I'l am taking three persons out of tho guard-room and am going to shoot them." • Tlfe guar<lroom orderly reported the matter to the Adjutant-General, who sent a message to Colthurst. The men, however, were taken to a yard and placed against a twelve-feet wail. Colthurst iormeci a firing party of eevon, - and ordered them to- fire. Hero Mrs Skeffington, who was present in Court, broke down. Accused hung his head and turiled away. ,The prosecutor- continued that Colthurst later explained that he wished to prevent an escape or rescue. Lieut. Dobbin', of the Irish Bifles, gave evidence that he heard firing and went into the yard. He found three men on the ground and noticed movement in Skeffiington's body. Ho sent a message to the .accused and this reply came back: "Shoot him again." There was a sensation iu Court, and women shrieked, notably Mrs Skeffington. Tho accused hid his face. Lieut. Dobbin adtfed: "Accuse ! seemed very excited." Major Roxburgh gave evidence that Oolt-hurst said he shot the prisoners andi that ho expected to» get into trouble and probably hanged.