THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1292, 3 December 1886, Page 4

THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

A skipper of a coasting craft has furnished an Auckland Star reporter with some particulars relating to Caffrey, the Barrier Island murderer. He says:—“l shipped with Caffrey as an A.B. in the Minister of Marine. We went to ’Frisco in her, and then worked passages to London. There X separated from Caffrey nod came back to Auckland. Caffrey worked his passage from London to Calcutta, and from there to France. In France he joined a circus one of biggest shows going. He was engaged as • sailor 1 . I mean he was the general handy man, mended the tents, and did other odd jobs. _ He travelled right through France with that circus I don’t know where he went after he left France, or what he did until he returned to Auckland." When questioned as to Caffrey’s early history the skipper said he did not know much, and proceeded as follows :-- 1 know that Caffrey was born near One-httn-a, and that ho was acquainted with the Barrier almost from his infancy. When Bine years of age he worked in a copper none there, and he was there ofteiw.rds

cutting fira wood, I believe the first vessel ne had charge of wee the Catherine Birradale—the wreak of her is now lying in the Mechanic's Bay intake. He used to run to Waiheke for firewood. Caffrey had alto several other vessels. About four years ago he took the cutter Tamaki Packet and ran between Tanranga and the Great Barrier, 'and carried firewood from the Taylors’ place. I always found Caffrey to be honest and upright, and a better man I have never sailed with in all my life. How on earth be came to do what he did, the Lord alone knows." Some general conver. sation ensued daring which ifc wm stated by the sailors present that a large amount of money was being collected here amongst the men on small craft to assist in providing the best possible defence for Caffrey.