THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER. THE CASE AGAINST CAFFREY AND PENN CLOSED.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 180, 27 November 1886, Page 2

THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER. THE CASE AGAINST CAFFREY AND PENN CLOSED.

Auckland, November 23. The hearing of the charge of murder preferred against John Caffrey and Henry i Albert Perm was resumed at the Police Court thia morning. So far there Beems to be very little diminution of tha public interest taken in theße proceedings. The Court-room was crowded long Deiore the usual time for commencing the business, while the precincts of the Court were thronged with people anxious to catch a glimpse of the prisoners as they were conducted from the Jock up. Mr H. G. Soth Smith, R.M., occupied the Bench. The prisoners looked unchanged, except that their clothing and personal adornment seemed to have received increased attention. Both wore clean white starched shirts and collars. j The Crown Prosecutor briefly announced that he intended to-day to lay before the Court the rest of the evidence at his disposal. He had only nine more witnesses to call, and their evidence would be very short. Jane McManus, a buxom damsel or about 23, was then called, and deposed : I know the prisoners Caffrey and Perm. lam a single women, and reside in Alexandrastreet I remember Thursday, the 17th of June last. I saw Caffrey that day, but I don't remember whether I saw Perm, I saw Caffrey at tbe foot of Wyndham-street about 10 o'clock or a little after. I had a conversation with him. I had previously told him that I was going to tho Little Barrier to see a friend, and he had agreed to take me there in the Sovereign of the Seas. On the night in question I told him I had changed my mind, and wag not going. He asked me the reason of the change, but I could not and did not give him any. He did not eeem satiehed, and he aßked me if I would go the next trip when he came back. He finally eaid, " You'ro not going then?' and I replied, "No," when ho said, "Good night." On the Tuesday morning previous I had met Caffroy on tho Railway Wharf, and I went as far as the Wharf Hotel with him, when he told me he was going into Fort-etreet on some business. Ho asked me if I would wait or go up into Frank's dining-rooms. The result was that Caffrey and I had breakfast together iv Frank's dining-rooms ; also Perm and Grace Graham, who were there when we went in. After breakfast Pen Hand Caffrey went away, and Grace Graham and I proceeded to the ealt water baths. In the evening, between five and six o'clock, W9 met Perm and Caffrey again by appointment in Frank's dining-rooms. From the dining-rooms we went down in a cab along with the two men to the Sovereign of the Seas and stayed there all night. Perm went up the street again after we got on board, and I don't know what time he returned, but he was on board in the morning. The next morning Grace Graham| and I proceeded to where we had been stopping, having made an appointment to meet Caffrey and Pean in the Park at 1 o'clock. I did not go there, however, but Grace Graham went. I did not ccc Caffrey again until the Thursday night that I have already told you of. During the times I have spoken of there was nothing said about Perm and Caffrej-'s intended movements, except that I heard Perm tay they were going to Blind Bay. When I saw Caffrey on the Thursday night there was a man named Lowndes with him standing a little distance off. I did not hear Caffroy speak to him I had no reaeon for altering my intention to go to the Little Barrier, except from what I had been told by Lowndes. Messrs Napier and Palmer intimated thut they had no questions to put to the witness. James Lowndes, a young man about 30 years of age, deposed : I am a master mariner, and live on board my vess9l — the ketch Lucy James. I know both the prisoners. I last saw them on the night they left Auckland a Thurtday night. I forget the date. I saw them on board the Sovereign of the Seas. I was on board wilh them. I had been going off to nay own vessel, and my dingy being on board with them, I had met Caffrey up the street, and had gone down to tho wharf along with him. There was some drink on board, and I went on board to have a drink. There were a couple of other chapa on board as well, and there was some drinking going on. The company were nearly all, more or less, under the influence of drink. I saw a female on board — a girl named Grace Graham — who had been on the Sovereign before. 1 did not take much notice of her, and therefore do not know what was her condition. I did not see her drinking at all. She was in the cabin, and, as near as I can remember, all the time. Perm was there also, and I think all the time also. He might have gone out of tbe cabin and come back again. I remained on board till about 11 or 11.30 o'clock It was certainly after 10. During that time nothing was eaid as to where they were going that trip. After I left them I went on board my own vessel. Perm took me on board. He got from me a reef-tackle and an old bit of canvas that had been a tarpaulin cover ; nothing else. I gave them to Perm because Caffrey had asked me on shore for them, the tarpaulin being wanted in order to cover some stores he had en board. Caffrey at the same time had asked me for the loan of a reeftacklo and a water-keg, as be had lopt his things coming up. The water-keg had gone before I got on board. I suppose it went to the Sovereign, but I don't know. I understood afterwards, when I caw Caffrey, that Perm was going to take it on board, as 1 had given permission for it to be taken. The water-keg was a little higher than that table [pointing to the Court table, about 3lt high,] It was an ordinary water-keg, but I don't know bow many gallons it would contain. I heard Caffrey that day (Thursday, 17th June) mention Mr« Seymour. He told me he had something to tell me. He then said that she had consented to go away with him, and he was going South, Ho did not say whether he was going to take her with him or not. I don't think he mentioned when he was going. He eaid the veesel would be all right down South, but I did not take much notice of what he eaid, as it was said in drink. When Caffrey asked me for tho water-cask, I don't know whether Perm wus preeent, but hfi was present when I gave Caffrey permiesion to take the water- keg. I was present when Caffrey met the girl Jane McManus. They were standing a little way from me, but" I did not hear what was said. At last I was called over to join them, and I heard the girl then say that she was not going until next trip. Caffrey, in reply, said : " You will have to stop, then," or something like that, but I don't exactly know now what was his reply. Perm was not present when Mrs Seymour's name was mentioned — at least I don't recollect. There was someone preeent. We had just come out of the Nevada Hotel, after having had a drink. Caffrey, It and

a couple of chaps went in together for the drink. I only know Perm from him having been in Caffrey's company. Mr Palmer, after a consultation with Caffrey, said he had no questions to put. George Futter (a man about 45 years of age) deposed : I am a waiter at Ruble's oyster saloon in Little Queen, street. I know both prisoners. I remember seeing Perm one day in June last, He came into Mr Rubie'a one evening along with a young woman, and had supper. It was a Thursday or Friday evening, a night or two before the Sovereign of the Seal left Auckland. The hour was about 9 o'clock. I did not know the girl at that time, except that she had been in several times. I have seen her since. One afternoon, a day or two ago, she came in again, but I don't recollect her name, although I have heard it. On the occasion chat Perm and the girl had supper, Penii paid me, and in leaving he said, " This is the last 3s you will have from me for a long time." He did not complain of the supper. He had been several times before that. Mr Palmer intimated that he had no questions to put. Mr Napier, however, departed rom he rule and cross-examined. In answer to him the witnees said : We usually charge Is 6d for ham and eggs, and the same for stewed oysters. One had ham and eggs, and the other stewed oysters. I did not charge him se, and he did not complain of being overcharge.!. I never heard him Bay that he would not enter the shop again for supper. He did not have any porter, beer, or ale for supper. He had either tea or coffee. I did not charge him 2s, for ale instead of 1b 6d. They had only tea or coffee. He gave me three single shillings, not two half crowns. I did not ask him for 5s We have Bhilling suppers— cold ham, oys- [ tors, and eteak, but stewed oysters and ham aud eggs are Is 6d each. I heard him tell the girl that the supper cost Is 6d each. I did not tell him 1 wanted 6d extra for fetching beer. I fetched no beer Adam Henderson deposed : lam a Phipowner residing in Auckland, and a member lof the firm of Henderson aud Spraggon. I reside in Victoria Road, Devonport, I know fche prisoner Caffrey. He was captain of our cutter the Sovereign of the Seas. He worked the cutter on thirds. Suppose the vessel »vas to ruake £60 per month, the captain would take two thirds of the amount and the owners the other third. He therefore took two-thirds of the vessel's earnings, and he also provided the crew and paid for them, besides finding the ship in stores. The owners furnishod the vessel's appurtenances— paile, tackle, etc. That is the understood arrangement with respect to captains being on thirds. Caffrey had worked under this arrangement from April, ISS3, until tho day he went away. The last time I saw him before he went away was on Monday, the 14th of June. He had come in on Sunday from the Barrier, and he came to me on the Monday to report his arrival, and to cay that he would square up with me on the Tuesday morning. He did not come on the Tuesday morning. He was then two months in arrears, the amount, from his own statement since, being I about £17. As he did not call, according to promise, I felt a little uneasy, and on the Thursday that he went away I went twice up Queen-street in the hope of eeeing him. I then proceeded to the Railway Wharf, near which the vessel wae lying, and hailed hert I was answered by a man whom I did not know at the time, but whom I believe to be Perm He was on board, and came ashore with the boat. I asked if the vessel was ready for sea, and he said, "Yes ; with the exception of the meat." I then asked if Caffrey was on board, and he replied that he was up the street. I then told him to tell Caffrey not to go away on any account uetil he saw me. Tne veesel was well found at the time in regard to tackle She was fit to go round the world. Last regatta we gave her everything she required, spending over £100 upon her, and when she went away ehe had this extra gear on board— extra sails and extra strengthening ropes. lam not sure whether there were one or two water casks on board. The master of the Lucy James told me afterwards that he had lent a water caek. When Caffrey reported his arrival to me, he said nothing about having 10.-t anything through stress of weather. If anything of the kind alluded to — viz., casks, etc —were lost overboard, it was the owners' duty to replace them. It was also their duty to supply paints for the vessel. No request was made to me by Caffrey for paints, tarpaulin, or other tackle, before he left. I have seen Caffrey sinee —in the gaol. He told me he had scuttled the cutter. I did not ask him where, because I knew that. The firm reckon our loss by the cutter at about; £470. We were insured for £80. Neither Mr Napier nor Mr Palmer put any quest ions to the witness. John Brett depoped : I am a carter in the employ of W. S. Whitley, merchant, Queenstreet. 1 know Caffrey, and I have seen Perm before. I remember deliveting some merchandise on board the Sovereign of the Seae about the middle of last June. I produce the receipt for one lot. It is dated the 16th of June. Perm, I think, received them, but I can't be sure who signed the book. It looks like Perm. I saw a girl aboard when I took the first load down. The book was signed when I took the cart load down. The goode consisted of flour, potatoes, oats, chaff, cabin bread, soap, butter, tobacco, tea, sugar, and u case of sundries, I also took down the same day another lot— Caffrey 'B own stores. The receipt for them is signed "H.AP," That was the ordinary quantity of etores the vessel took. This second lot comprised tea, butter, candles, milk, a dozen large loaves ef bread, onions, pickles, curry, and 1 cwt. of flour. I do not know to whom I delivered these. The assistant clerk to the Court was handing the receipt books produced by the witnees. Mr Napier submitted that the receipt books produced could not be received. The Crown Solicitor said that he had not tendered these as evidence. He had only asked to have them marked as the books referred ta in the witnesses evidence. Samuel Robinson depoeed : I am in the employ of Hollaby Bros.', butchers, of Shortland st.re.et, Auckland. I remembered the 17th of June last. On that day I delivered some goods to the cutter Sovereign of the Seae, viz., eight kegs of salt meat, and 6 cases of preserved meat. They were cwt. kegs, and the oases were square boxes about 2ft. by 1 tt. The cutter was lying between the Queeli street and the railway wharves, and having cooeyed, both Caffrey and Perm came off to me in a dingy. I had not known them previously. They took the goods at the Waterman's etepa of the Railway Wharf. They talked to me freely, saying that this trip would pay better than previous ones, a* they had about six tons of cargo on board. Caffrey said that. I got a receipt for the goods It is here (producing u book), and is eiejned u H. A. Perm." I paw Perm sign it on the wharf. Frederick Somera depoeed : I am a quurryman, and have been employed at hangitoto. I was employed there on the 18th of June last, and I saw the Sovereign of the Seas on that day on the beach close to Mr Fallon's point. It was in the afternoon, I went on board in the evening at

about between 7 and 8 o'clock. I saw Caffrey, Perm, and a young woman on. board. Four of us altogether went oa board, our object being to give them at heave off the beach with their vessel. I spoke to Caffrey, Perm, and the girl, There waB a Mr Williamson on board, maßter ot the scow Lagoon. I did not go into the cabin of the Sovereign, nor did the others, co far as I saw. We* succeeded in getting the vessel off, and haoled her alongeide the scow. Helped them to make Bail, and then got from tbe cutter into the scow. As we left, Caffrey aaid, " Good-bye, boys. I'm much obliged* and 1 11 do as much for you another time.'* That was all. They then sailed away. Charles Robert Chapman deposed : I am a stationer, carrying on business in Queen -street. I know the prisoner Caffrey, and remember him coming into my shop sometime in June last. I don't recollect the date, but it was about a fortnight or » week before the Sovereign of the Seas went away. He bought a chart of the southwest coast of South America, taking in. Valparaiso. He looked at Valparaiso, and> pointing to the former, said ifc was a very good port, and that he could find his way into it in the dark. This was said to me ia a casual sort of way as he looked at the chart. There was a young man with Caffrey at the time, but I cannot say who it was, or whether it was like Perm. I did not know him at the time. Indeed, I have not seem him before to-day to my knowledge. I think Caffrey did mention that he had beea at Valparaiso. At this stage the Court adjourned for luncheon. There was the usual crowd outside to see the menacled prisoners conducted back ta the lockup, amongst the Bighteeera being Grace Graham, smartly dreseed. The same crowd in diminished numbers awaited the prisoners return. On the Court resuming, James Joseph Tuohey, detective of the A.C., stationed in Auckland, was called. He deposed : I remembered hearing of the murder of Robert Taylor, at 8 o'clock on Sunday, the 20th of June last. I went to Tryphena Bay on Monday morning, the 22nd Jure Dr. Walker and Sergeant Clarke and two constables went with me. On arrival there I proceeded to the house of Mr Taylor. We landed in Sandy Bay, and it took us> about ten minutes to reach the house. I found the single exterior door nailed up vrith strong nails. On getting Inside I found the body of deceased in No. 2 bedroom, lying on ifa back, immediately to theright of the door, with its head on a large green box, and the feet towards a window, which overlooked the sea. Witness described the condition in which the body of Taylor was found, and ohe state; in which the house was at that time. He produced a revolver bullet, which he found embedded in the lintel of No. 1 bed-room on the kitchen side, and about the centre of the door. A(j he inquest he received from one of thewitnesses —Mr Blair — the American bull-dog revolver produced. It is marked with a cross on the stock, and it contained in one of the chambers are empty cartridge casee. The others form charn* bers were loaded while the fifth appeared to have been recently discharged. Witness further described the arrest of prisoners and their conveyance to Auckland. Counsel for prisoners did not cross-ex-amine. This closed the case for the proßecu* tion and the Crown Solicitor asked that the prisoners might be committed for trial. The depositions were read over, and both prisoners committed for trial.