THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1366, 9 October 1886, Page 2

THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

ANOTHER SUPPOSITION. Wellington, October 8. There is now some reason to suppose that Penn and the woman have been murdered, A bonnet and hat have been picked up on the beach, the former showing some cuts, which might hare been made by a sharp instrument:

FURTHER PARTICULARS. Auckland, October 7. The New Zealand Herald correspondent sends the following particulars re OafiVey in a cable message, dated Sydney October 7th : The prisoner John Oaffrey, who is charged with the murder of Kobt. Taylor, at Tryphena Harbor, Great Barrisr Island, on the 18th June, and who was ares ted at Fernmcnnt, a small town on the Bellringer River, was brought up on remand before the Magistrate at Boat Harbor, the principal town in the district, on Tuesday. Tne arrest of the chief actor in a crime of so tragic a character and invested with so many n. vel elements, has naturally excited intense interest throughout the district, and the Police Court was densely crowded. Prisoner was brought to Boat Harbor in charge <■{ Police-0 nstable May, who apprehended hm at Fernmount, His appearance at that place fol owing so quickly upon the diaoovery of Ihe wreck of the Sovereign of the Seas, which had revived the story of b'a terrible crime, ronsed the suspicions of the local constable who comparing the stranger with the printed description of the murderers, issued by the Auckland police, felt satlsfi-d he wsa Geffrey, and forthwith arrested him. When examined at the Police Station L was found that although bearing the marks described in the police notice, a scar on the left a star tattooed on the right forearm, and an anchor on the left arm, ha had other tattoo marks n t in the police description, notably the figure of a woman upon bis b’eist. When arrested the prisoner denied all knowledge of the murder and of New Zealand. He said his name was Joe Adams, and that he was a ewagman in search of work On hie lodgings being searched, a swag was found contain! g, among other articles, a revolver and black fi <g. The police authorities at Sydney ware immediately communicated with, and they forwarded a photograph of Oaffrey which they had in their possession, and which was an unzniatakeable likeness of ths prisoner. When confronted with this evidence he acknowledge his identity, and made a full confession of his guilt to Constable May. After nse.-ating particu ars of the murder, he continued—We cleared out of New Zealand In the cutter Sovereign of the S'as, and made for the coast of America. We encountered some severe gales, and had to lay-to four days. Finding it impossible to reach America, we made for Australia, and after being three months at sea, we sighted land at Brisbane. We then made down coast for Sydney, but finding it too hot there (meaning too many ships about), we made back for Queensland. The vessel was leaking, and was in a sinking state, and we had to make for the shore the best way we could. I succeeded in landing some things in a dingy, which we had with us, and then went back to the vessel for Penn and the women. When landing the dingy caps : zed, and threw us all into the surf. I was washed ashore, but Penn and the w man we e drowned. It being dark at the time, I never caught sight of them afterwards. I remained where I landed ti l the second day, hut could not fiad any traces of them It now between three and four weeks ago* since it happened, and the place was the first night north of the Macquarie. The female w»s Penn’s paramour, and her name was Lizzie Graham, She was twenty years of age, and was brought on board much against her will, and on the voyaga she frttted very much. We encountered a great many gales and at one time would not have given much for our chance. We 'sighted several vessels but always kept out of th@ir way, and never spoke a ve*s-l the whole time we were at sea. We had plenty of provisions but ran short of water, but were sucoeesful in catching some from rain that fell. The vessel belongs to Henderson and Spraggon, of Auckland, and I was master of her. The woman has relations in New Zealand, so has Penn, who is a married man. lam a single man and a native of New Zealand. At the Police Court Caffrey acknowledged his guilt and the correctness of the statement which he has made toConstab'e May, and which was read In Court Prisoner was then remanded, pending the arrival of a police officer from New Zealand with the necessary extradition papers.