THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1542, 20 January 1887, Page 3

THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

The trial of John Oaffrey and Henry Albert Penn, charged with the wilful murder of Robert Taylor at Great Barrier Island, commenced at the Supreme Court, Auckland, before Mr Justice Ward, last Tuesday. - Grace Graham, the girl who accompanied the prisoners to Australia, appeared in the box attired in a black dress and straw hat. She said her nsm* was Grace Graham, but she sometimes went under thejiame of Reid. She gave evidence somewhat similar to that given by her at the preliminary investigation. She grave: a description of the vey»ge from Auckland to the Barrier Island* There was a black flag on board and Caffrey said it was for the death of old Tusky (meaning Taylor).: A .roan present said “Put the old cow out of the way.” On the voyage she remained onKdeck all night with Penn -while Caffrey ■ went below and slept. They saw a boat coming towards them apd ; thought it was the police. • They Ihaded their revolvers and Oaffrey said if any of the. ; police came oh board they would not' leave alive. The vessel arrived before daylight. They hauled down tba sails and left them loose, so as to bo ready to cat out quickly when they came back. They went ashore, Oaffrey said he was going out to get the girls, tie told her the night before. He said he was determined to have Mrs Seymour somehow. Caffrey loaded a revolver in the cabin, end told her if be did not get the girl be would shoot her father through the brains. If he got the girls he would force them to the boat, and cut a piece off Taylor’s ear or tongue, so that be could tall no tales. Caffrey had cords, in bis pockets to tie Taylor. Oaffrey put the two revolvers in his bin pockets, and one in his breast pocket. [Revolvers produced and identified;] Prisoners both had knives previous to their leaving. She cleaned np the cabin, as she expected the girls. Then went to sleep. It was a fearfully rough morning. Saw the prisoners when they returned. It was about 8.30, They woke her up. Saw Caffrey first. He’bad fresh blood on bis bands, coat, and front of his trousers also. Had a revolver in tiie hand. Blood was also on the revolver. She asked, “Jack, what have you done?”; He replied, “ I put the old cuss out 'of the road,” and she also asked, “Did Harry have anything to do with it.” He replied, “1 told him to fire, but, like a—fool, be fired at a picture on the wall.” Penn • was on deck at this time fastening the boat. Oaffrey told her to get out the black flag. He put it up himself, as she did not like handling it. He then hoisted the sails, after which he hauled the flag to the masthead and sailed out of the harbor. Harry and witness were having a quarrel, when she said something about Taylor. Caffrey was listening. He jumped up out of the hold, and exclaimed “Harry, you can't trust Grace; she is sure to split on you." Penn did not reply. She asked Caffrey on one occasion if Taylor was dead. He replied, “ I would »oc like to be as stiff as he is.” He used to jump about and say, “ Old Tusky is pretty stiff by this time." Penn was jolly on the voyage but Caffrey used to fret. The prisoners painted the cutter black at sea. They also obliterated the name which was bo the beams. They also painted over some letters on-the stern. The vessel was wrecked near Sydney. When they got on shore Caffrey remained with Penn and witness for a fortnight. He then left ,off taking the revolvers with him. ; He gave one revolver to Harry. Oaffrey >£ave -her s fowling pieos. There waa a

South America on board. During her acquaintance with Caffrey ho told her he wan going to bo married to Mrs Seymour. While.io Avcblnnd he got drinking, and she put it off. He whs put in gaol, and while there her father got her to marry Seymour. Mr Meagher cross-examined the witness exhaustively and elicited some glaringly conflicting, statements, the witness admitaing making mistakes. His .Honor remarked the witness was : biassed in favor of Penn, as he had seen tier exchanging smiles with him since she had been in the witness box. On Wednesday Mrs Taylor, wife of the murdered man, who was dressed in deep mourning, gave evidence of what transpired on themoroing of the murder. Penn came to the house after 7 a.in. He said he came from the cotter Teviot, and wanted butter for the Tairua, another vessel, lying in the bay. Penn sat down a while, and witness and her husband prepared to give him the hotter, and then Caffrey sprang in, presenting a tevolver and shouting three times in a rough voice, “Pot up your bauds, Taylor.” The latter said, “Ob Johnny, don’t shoot me,” Could not see if Penn had a revolver, as he kept his hands in his cost pockets. Caffrey fired three shots at deceased, who staggered a little and ran into the bedroom, Penn and Caffrey following. Heard a fourth shot fired theo, and ntn away screaming for help, followed by Penn with a revolver, who was threatening to shoot her if she did not keep quiet. Appealed to Caffrey to protect her, and be told Penn to desist, both men going away. On her return to the house she found her husband on the bedroom floor. Her two daughters had fled, aad the only living person in the boose was an infant child of Mrs Seymour, which was in bed, the latter having fled in her nightdress. Witness believed Caffrey had killed her husband, because she saw both men with her husband in the bedroom. Penn holding the latter with his arm round his peck. The witness was cross-examined at length. .