THE SKEFFINGTON EXECUTION.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 28 August 1916, Page 5

THE SKEFFINGTON EXECUTION.

. .. i~i^iinhi 'i imminii SOME SENSATIONAL EVIDENCE. (Received 11.10) LONDON, August 27. A sensation was caused af the Skef fington enquiry when Lieut. Alexander (Wilson, on main guard duty at Portobello barracks testified that Dobbin informed him that Colthurst wanted to shoot three men. Dobbin told witness to ask the adjutant if the order should be carried cut. Witness cycled across the barrack yard, received the adjutant’s message and returned, and he had just fininshed delivering the I message when shots rang out. j i Sergeant Aldridge testified that the three shots were together, in only one volley. Mrs Skeffingon’s sister detailed her efforts to obtain information. Colthurst said he knew nothing! about Skeffing'ton. He also told Mrs Skeffington that no information was available, and added: “The sooner you leave the barracks the better.” The chairman remarked that it ap-1 peared as if certain men were shot simultaneously. Mr Healy disagreed, saying there was evidence the men were shot separately. Boland, an ex-soldier, gave evidence that he heard three volleys. After tl.c second he heard someone say, “That man is not dead.” Then he heard another volley. ? Berne, a witness, denied that Coade used an epithet to Colthurst. The latter was annoyed by smoking. He said: “Stop smoking those damned cigarettes.” Colthurst saio to a soldier, “Bash them,” and Coade was struct: on the jaw with a idfle butt. Witness said Coade began o run. Then came a flash and Coade fell. I