The Great Barrier Murder.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2508, 26 January 1887, Page 2

The Great Barrier Murder.

GONFESSIONS'OF THE CONDEMNED MEN. _. Auckland, January 25. Considerable reticence is maintained by tho Gaol authorities regarding the confessions of Caffrey and Penn. The statements made by the two do not agree with each other, nor with the evidence adduced at the trial, biit they will throw much light on. the tragic affair. i The following is on good authority the-substance-of statement of the affair : When Penn and Caffreyleft-th& veiffl&l they Chad no intention of committing homicide,, the revolver being taken for the ,pmv pose of intimidating-Taylor. ,' It was agreed between them should

go arid ask for butter as a ruse, arid that while Taylor ( was away getting the butter they were to take the girl oft. • When he 'entered the. kitchen and told Taylor to hold up' his hands ' ho intended to tie Taylor's hands. As. Taylor would riot hold up his hands ho fired the'three shots for the purpose of intimidating .iim. Tho first went out at the kitchen door, the second went near linooln Taylor (but was.not intended for him) and;-entered 'piTJ&tSlJind ■' the ififid-' wM near old Taylor. He believed that it hit him, but ..after hearing .'"the medioal. he" did not. Between the time of the murder and his arrest the beliefthathe had shotTayl»r preyed on his mind, and' he is now considerably releived that the evidence shows it is impossible that he hit the old man. ...Ho remembers striking Taylor oil the nosc about thedoorway, but lie was so excited that he does not : know how the pool of blood' came behind the door, He did not threaten to go to Herataunga and finish the lot, ' : ; .