THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1363, 6 October 1886, Page 2

THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

SUPPOSED ARREST OK OAFFREY

Sydnbv, October 6 A man named Joe Adam?, alias Oaffrey, has been arrested at Pymont on suspicion of having committed murder at Great Barrier Island. A revolver, some cartridges, and a piratical fi g has been found in hts swag. Prisoner denied ever having been in New Zealand, bat his appearance exactly answers the description of Caffrey. His mate, Penn, has not yet baen traced A quantity of wreckage and ships’ stores have been found at Port Mat quarcie, as well as a board bearing the n.me Auckland. Prisoner has been remanded, Auckland, October 5. Information to hand per Mauapouri, from Sydney, leaves not the slightest doubt as to the fate of the cutter Sovereign of the Seas, the wreckage of that vessel having been identified by certain well known signs, nameS and numbers. The following particulars appear In the Sydney Horning Herald of the 29 ;h September : “ Last Saturday afternoon Pilot Kingsford received information that some wreckage had been washed up on the beach north of Port Macquarrie. He at once proceeded to search the beach and found part of a deck beam with combing attached. In the beam was out the tonnage (31), and also official number, 52415. The Pilot sent his men out again on Sunday to search the southern beach. They discovered a board, evidently from the stern of the vessel, with the name Sovereign of the Seas painted on it. It had been painted over with black pa’nt except “ reign,” It will bo remembered that on 19th June a murder was com mitted ou Great Barrier Island, New Zealand, by John Caffrey and Henry Albert Fean, who had charge of the cutter beating the above name. The man murdered was Robert Taylor. ■'-o doubt this wreckage is the remains of the same vessel, which left the isiand, cutter-rigged and flying a black fl »g, which was occupied by the two men named. The New Zealand Government offered a reward of £3OO for their apprehension. The finding on the beam the tonnage and official number cut upon it, and also the board with the name of the vessel, appears conclusive proof that the cutter, at least, has finished her career.” . . The Auckland police authorities have forwarded a fuller description of Oaffrey to the Sydney police for ideutlfiction of the man in custody, and a.so communicated with old Aucklanders oow resident la Sydney acquainted with Ca«rey.