GRUESOME OUTRAGE AT WAIROA

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3942, 27 May 1913, Page 5

GRUESOME OUTRAGE AT WAIROA

GRAVE OPENED BY A GHOUL. SPLINTERS COFFSN IN SEARCH OF MONEY. BELIEVED TO BE MENTALLY UNBALANCED. [UNITED PRESB ASSOCIATION—COPTfiIGHT] AYAIROA, May 26. A gross-outrage at Wairoa cemetery was reported to tlio police this afternoon. -. ■ A man named J. Jones, a resident of Mangaone, was buried yesterday afternoon, and the grave topped over in the ordinary way, but to-day it was reported to the police that the grave bad: been opened up down; to the coffin, the lid of which had been splintered with a spade or an axe. and the trimmings exposed. - No m-otive for the outrage can be suggested, as it- would need a strong man to commit so foul a deed. Deceased had nothing of value buried with him and, having been a most inoffensive man, there can be no suggestion of The polico have got the matter in* hand, but the cemetery authorities consider that a ghoul or a madman has been at work. Later. At 5.30 p.m. the police arrested a man named Richard McKenzie Edwards, alias De Courccy, on suspicion of rifling the grave. When charged he confessed. and handled over the tools used. Tlie only statement made was that he was after money. Accused appears to be mentally unbalanced. .