GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1534, 25 January 1887, Page 2

GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

[Per Pbess Association.]

AUCKLAND, January 24.

The delay in the Barrier verdict is said to have been due to the obstinacy of a juryman, who contended that they ought not to hang two men for one murder, and proposed to draw lots. The prisoners have beeu depressed since the sentence. It is expected that the execution will take place on February 14th.

Mr. Justice Ward iv sentencing Caffrey ami Perm to death said :—" Prisoners at the bar : After a lengthened trial and a notable defence, you have been found guilty on evidence which carried conviction to the minds of all who heard it of the fearful crime wherewith you stand charged. The jury have recommended you to mercy, and that recommendation shall be duly forwarded to the Governor, but I cau hold out no hopes to you now that it will be acted upon, for since the day when word was spoken, " Wh»so sheddeth man's blood by man shall his blood be shed," no more cowardly or more deliberate murder has ever been planned or perpetrated. Prom the earth where it was spilt the voice of that old man's blood cries aloud unto Heaven. You deemed escape secure, for the keel ofyour vessel left no track that human eye could follow, but you forgot that the way of God is on the seas and his path in the great waters. At His word the stormy wind arose which drove you westward on the shores of Australia, whence you have been brought hither to face your doom. Yet to you the law will be more merciful than you

were to your victim. You sent him to his last account without one moment's respite for repentance. To you time will be given to prepare to meet your God. With man's tribunal you have now well nigh done; but hereafter we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and if you would there find pardon I entreat you to spend in penitence and prayer the few days yet left to you on earth It now only remains for me to pass upon you the last awful sentence of the law — that you, and each of you, be severally hung by the neck until you are dead, and may the Lord in his infinite mercy have compassion on your souls. Perm gave a cynical, sickly smile, and bowed to the audience; Caffrey was equally unmoved, further than a hectic flush on his cheek.

January 25.

It is stated that a requisition is being signed for presentation to the Governor, praying that the recommendation of niorcy by the jury in the Caffrey-Penn trial may be given effect to. It is rumored that Cuffrey and Perm have made a lull confession. The reported confession of Caffrey](and Perm is quite correct. Perm says that he fired the last shot, which proved fatal. Caffrey confesses that he fired at Taylor, and believes he lodged a bullet in his body. Eeston, the gaoler, has telegraphed the statements to the Minister' of Justice. It is not expected that the petition in Caffrey 's favor will have any effect.

WELLINGTON, January 25.

The Minister of Justice refuses to ■ give any information respecting the confessions of the Barrier murderers.