THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1498, 12 October 1886, Page 3

THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

Wellington, Oct. 8. Th» New Zealand Herald's correspondent sends the following particulars re Caffrey in a cablegram : Sydney, Oct. 7.

The prisoner John Caffrey, who is charged with the murder of Bobert Taylor, at Tryphena Harbor, Great Barrier Island, on the 18th June, and who wsb arrested at Fernmount, a small town on the Bellringer river, was brought up od remand before the magistrate at Boat Harbor, the principal town of the district t on Tuesday. The arrest of the chief actor in the crime of so tragic a character, and invested with so many novel olemeDtf, has naturally excited immense interest throughout the district. The Police Court was densely crowded. The prisoner was brought up to Boat Harbor 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 biß terrible crime, roused the suspicion of the local constable, who, comparing the stranger with the printed description of the murderers issued by the Auckland police, felt sat;sfied that he was Caffrey, and forthwith arrested him. When examined at the police station it was found that although bearing marks described in the police notice—a scar on the left eyebrow, a star tattooed on the right forearm, and an anchor on the left arm—he had other tattoo marks not in the po'icedescription, notably the figure of a woman upon his breast. When arrstel prisoner denied all knowledge of the murder and of New i Zealand. He said his name was Joe Adams, and that he was a sw.gman in search of work. On hJB lodgingß being searched a swag was found containing among other articles a revolver and a black flag, -he police authorities at Sydney were immediately communicated with, and they forwarded a photo of Caffrey, which tbey had in their possession, and which was an unmistakeable likeness of the prisoner. When confronted with this evidence, he acknowledged his identity and made a full confession of his guilt to Constable May. 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 severe gales, and had to lay to four days. 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 Sydoey, but finding; it too hct there (meaning to say too many ships about), we made back for Queensland. The vessel was leaking, and wbs in a sinking state, and we had to make for shore the best way we could. I; succeeded in landing something id a dingy which we had with us, and then went back to the vessel for Penn and the woman. When landing tho dingy capsized and threw us all into the Burf. I was washed ashore, but Penn and the Woman were drowned. It being dark at the time, ; l never caught sight of them after. I remained where I landed till the second day, but could not find any trace of then). It is new between 3 and 4 weeks ago since it happened, and the place was the first point north of P«rt Macquarrie. The female was Peon's paramour, and her name was Lizzie Graham. She was 20 yeirs of age, and was brought on board against her will, and on the voyage ihe fretted very much. We encountered a great many gales, and at one iimo would not have given much for our chance. We sighted several vessels but always kept out of their way, and nevsr spoke a vessel the whole time we were at sea. We had plenty of provisions, but ran shcrt cf water, but were successful in catching forae from the rain that fell. The vessel belonged to Henderson and Spraggon, of Auckland, and I was master of her. The woman has relations in New Zealand, so h*s Penn, who is a married man. I am a single man, and a native of New Zealand. At the Police Court Caffrey acknowledged his guilt and the porrectness of the statement which he had made to Constable May, and which was read in Court. Prisoner was then remanded pending the arrival of a police officer from New Zealand with the necessary extradition papers. W-bwuhqton, Oct. 8.

Ther.eis now some reason to suppose that Penn and the woman have been murdered* A bonnet aad hut hare been

picked up 'ii the beach, the former showing Homo cute, which might have been mado by sharp instruments. Oct. 11.

Government has wired to the authorities of New South Waleß io take every precaution that Caffrey does not commit suie'de on his w«y here, even if he be put in irons. Ther« is no further news of Jfenn and the woman, who are now it is couc'uded murdered or drowned.