CAFFREY CONFESSES HIS GUILT. PENN ARRESTED AT BRISBANE Sydney, October 7.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 174, 16 October 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

CAFFREY CONFESSES HIS GUILT. PENN ARRESTED AT BRISBANE Sydney, October 7.

The prisoner John Caffrey, who is charged with the murder of Robert Taylor, at Trypbena Harbour, Great Barrier Island, on the 19 th June, and who was arrested at Fernmount, a small town on the Bellinger BiVer, was brought up on remand before the Magistrate at Boat Harbour, the prin cipal town of the district, on Tuesday, The arrest of the chief actor in a crime of 80 tragic a character, and invested with so many novel elements, has naturally ex cited intense interest throughout the district, and the Police Courts was densely crowded. The prisoner was brought to Boat Harbour in charge of Police-constable May. who apprehended him at Fernmount. His appearance at that place, following so quickly upon the discovery of the wreck of the Sovereign of the Seas, which had revived the story of the terrible crime at the Great Barrier, New Zealand, rouaed the suspicions of the local constable, who comparing the stranger with the printed description of the murderers issued by the Auckland police, felt satisfied that he was Caffrey, and forthwith arrested him. When examined at the police station it was found that, although bearing the marks described in the police notice —a scar on the left eyebrow, a star tatooed on right forearm, and an anchor on left arm —he had other tatoo marks not mentioned in the police description, notably the figure ot a woman upon his breast. When arrested the prisoner denied all knowledge of the murder, and of Hew Zealand, He said his name was Joe Adams, and that he was a swagsman in search of work. On his lodgings being searched a swag was found, containing among other articles, a revolver and black flag. The police authorities at Sydney were immediately communicated with, and they forwarded a photograph of Caffrey which they bad in their possession, and which waa, unmistakeably, the likeness of the prisoner. When confronted with this evidence, he acknowledged his identity, and made a full confession of his guilt to Constable May.

Cafffey s Statement. After narrating the particulars of the murder, he continued : —" We cleared out of New Zealand in the cutter Sovereign of the Seas, and made for the coast of America. We encountered some Bevere Kales, and had to lay-to four daye. Finding it impossible to reach America, we made for Australia, and, after being three months at sea, we sighted land near Brisbane. We then made down the coast for Sydney j but finding it too hot there (meaning to say too many ships about), we then made back for Queensland. The vessel was leaky, and was in a Binking state, and we had to mako for the shore the best way we could. I succeeded in landing Borne tbingo in the diDgy which we had with üb, and then went back to the vessel for Perm and the woman. When landing the dingy capeized and threw us all into the surf. I was washed ashore, bat

Fenn and the Woman were Drowned. It being dark at the time, I never caught sight Of them aft*. I remained where I landed until the second day, but could not find any trace of them. It is now between three and four weeks ago since it happened, and the place was the first point north of Port Macquarne. The female was Perm's paramour, and her name was Lizzie Graham. She was about 20 years of ag&, and was brought on board against her will, and on the Toyags she fretted 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 their way, and never spoke a vessel the whole time we were at sea. We had plenty of provisions, but ran short of water, but were successful in catching some from the 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 ha« Perm, who is a married man. lam a single man, and native of New Zealand. At the Police Court Caffrey acknowledged his guilt, and the correctness of the statement which he had made to Constable May, and which waB read in Court. The prisoner was then remanded pending the arrival of a police officer from New Zealand with the BecesBary extradition papera.