GREAT BARRIER ISLAND MURDER.

Kumara Times, Issue 3119, 1 November 1886, Page 3

GREAT BARRIER ISLAND MURDER.

EXTRAORDINARY CONDUCT OP THE PRISONERS. From Caffrey’s statements it appears that he had no instruments only a compass to aid him in his endeavours to reach the Sooth American coast. He had no idea of taking sights, but he thought as America ran north and south he could not help hitting it. On the second day a fearful gale sprung up, and during its continuance Caffrey was nearly killed. It appears from his statement that the main-boom suddenly jibbed, and in swinging caught Caffrey and jammed him down to the top of the companion way. Just as the boom was crushing his breast, the sheet took the strain off the boom and so saved him. For a long time he suffered from the effects of the accident. This occurred when the vessel was in the Bay of Plenty. He never before in his life saw such a frightful sea as ran during the gale, but the cutter he says behaved splendidly. Although be still adhered to his determination to reach the American coast, he was continually beaten back to the northward by adverse winds. Then striking the S.E. trades he was carried still further northward. The most strange part of the whole voyage was that no land was sighted after leaving New Zealand until three months afterwards. The Australian coast was picked up in the tropics, and there the heat was fearful. Finding that it was impossible to make for the Sooth American coast, Caffrey made up his mind to try and roach Tasmania, but everything appeared to go against them, and they eventually landed as already known. Caffrey is of opinion he would not have Been caught had it not been for the wreckage of the cutter drifting northwards before going ashore, for where they landed was a bleak, uninhabited spot. The cutler did not break up where she was beached until next day. Caffrey, after remaining ten days at the spot where they all got on shore, could not stand the loneliness of the place, and so started away, leaving Penn and the girl behind. There was a small and apparently uninhabited house close to where they were, and Caffrey nightly Sneaked round and round it, but dared not go in. Caffrey worked north, and when he was arrested he had no money or food. From Lizzie Graham it was ascertained that during the voyage on board the cutter, she enjoyed herself very much. The only literature that they had on the cutter was a bible and a hymn-book. She was desirous of writing a history of their exploits, and would have done so in Sydney, she said, had the authorities there only allowed her paper and ink. The murder was constantly being referred to by those on the cutter, and Caffrey appeared utterly miserable and resigned, and deeply regretted the deed. Whilst on board the cutter no quarrel took place, all living happily together, but when they got on shore then the bickering between the two men commenced. She appeared to have so much enjoyed the whole trip, that she expresses her willingness to go another similar voyage. The girl knew Penn for some ten months prior to going on the trip, and she was, she says, vciy fond of him, although she avowed, “I liked Caffrey as well, and he liked me.” < On the voyage to Auckland, with a view to retaining them in good spirits, and at their request, prisoners were permitted to play cards. Surely such a card party never was formed before. Impossible as it seems of belief, there were two men in irons under arrest for murder of a peculiarly heinous nature, another on his way to answer to a charge of forgery, and a fourth an exmember of the Constabulary, all intent on cards, and thete they played till tea time, finding as much interest and excitement in the varying chances of the game as did ever a free and social party of card-players under happier auspices. Caffrey, beyond a slight tendency to forget trumps, was most affable, and seemed to enjoy the game greatly, while Penn was most demonstrative, and thumped his cards down on the table witli that delighted emphasis so characteristic of many players who happen to hold good cards. ' Forsyth, the forger, played a quiet gamei occasionally showing his hand to the spectators and indulging in a wink of significance when about to surprise his opponents. The ex constable, of course only “ took a hand” to make up the side. Surely all who witnessed that card pa>ty will remember it whi'e thev live. There were these two men, animal like, living only the present and seemingly indiffereut to the dreadful future, playing euchre as if that future was ho assured and happy one. As game succeeded game, and their

interest never flagged, it became painful in the extreme to the bystanders to see them immersed in the petty chances o( the cards, and to think to what an end the ship was surely and rapidly bearing them. By 6 p.m. their hands were again confined in irons. At nine o’clock they both slept soundly. A day before reaching Auckland Caffrey seemed much upset, and passed most of the time with his head buried in his hands on the table, evidently in an agony of remorse and penitence. Penn still continued quite easy and unconcerned in speech and manner, and gave no sign of softening of heart or awakening conscience.