THE GREAT BARRIER CASE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1466, 26 January 1887, Page 2

THE GREAT BARRIER CASE

Auckland, January 25.

Sinca nenteno of death was passed upon Csffrey and Penn, both the condemned men have appeared to fully realise their terrible position, a^d the bravado which characterised their demeanor has given place to feelings of despondency and penitence. It is understood they now admit the justice of the sentence, and are completely resign ed to their fate . Yesterday a rumor was current that they had made confession of the reßpeotive parts which each took in the murder, aud although it was not possible to ascertain the preolse terms of their statements, the report is thoroughly reliable. It is understood that the convict Penn, after adhering to the statement wbioh he made in Court after the verdict was returned, at last confessed that he and not Oaffrey, had fired the fatal shot. Oaffrey, it is alleged, has also made an important statement whiob, while not minimising his guilt, throws additional light upon the part which he took in the crime and the oiroumstanoes under which the actual murder was committed. Oonsiderable reticence is maintained by the gaol authorities regarding the mattar, but the statements made by the condemned men have, it is understood, been forwarded to the Governor,

Another account says— lt is understood that Penn admits having fired the last shot, but there is no means of ascertaining to what extent theie admissions go. The statement! made by the two do not agree with each othar, nor with the evidence adduced at the trial, but they will throw much light on the tragio affair. The following le said on good authority to be the substance of Oaffrey's statement of the affair : — When Penn and Caffrey left the ves&el they had no intention of committing homicide, the revolver being taken for the purpose of intimidating Taylor, It was agreed between them that Pann Bhould go and ask for butter as a ruse, and that while Taylor was away getting the batter in the dairy they were to take the girls off. When ha entered the kitchen, and told Taylor to hold up his hands ha intended to tie Taylor's hands, As Taylor would not hold op his I hands he fired the three shots for the pur* pose of intimidating him. The first went out at the kitchen door, the second went : near Lincoln Taylor (but was not meaat for him) and entered the lintel, and the third went near old Taylor, and he believed it hit him. After hearing the medical evidence, he thinka he did not hit him. Between the time of the murder and his capture at Sydney, he believed that he had shot Taylor. It preyed on bis mind, and he is now considerably relieved that the evidence shows i ■ to ba impossible that he hit him. He remembers striking the old man on the nose about the doorway, but he waa so excited tint hi does nit know how the pool of blood came behind the door. He did not threaten to go to Herataunga and finish the lot. Yesterday Mr Jackson Palmer, one of tho counsel for Oaffrey, visited the prisoner in his cell at Mount Eden, Mr Palmer found Gaffcay far mere cheerful than he noticed him since the trial commenced, and remarked on his changed demeanour. Oaffrey replied, "Oh yes, the worst is over now that the suspense of the trial, is over. Talking of the trial he recognised the justice of the sentence of the law as laid down by the Judge. He was to blame for Taylor's death, as if he had not gone to the Barrier Taylor would have been alive to-day. He Bald he was quite prepared lo die

A pet li ion is in circulation to-day for the reprieve of Oaffrey, on the ground that the evidenoe showed he did not fire the fatal shot. It was to be sent to Wellington on Thursday.

Wellington, January 25 t The Minister of Justice has received Innumerable requests, late laat night and during the day, for particulars of the Bairier murderers' confession, both from outside and inside Wellington. Mr Tole, however, up to this evening, had not received It, aud if he nad would not have disclosed anything. Such documents must first be laid before the Governor, and in ordinary course Bhould acoompany the particulars of the case and the Judge's report. These papers have not yet bean reoelved. It will be nec:saary for the Governor to confer with the Executive on the fate o£ the convicts, bo that his Excellency must either take a short trip to Wellington cr Ministers must go t> Dunedin. Until this Exeoutiva meeting is held nothing can be known officiary. The Minister resolutaly deolines to give any Information, on the ground that his duty in the circumstances Is first to his Excellency.