THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2004, 6 November 1886, Page 3

THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

[PKIt PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Nov 5,

Tin Minister of Justice, in reply to Mr Napier’s lelegram that the Crown Prosecutor at Aucklan 1 had ex’orted a confession from the girl Grace Graham, says tint the Gown Pr»s cutor telegraphs that, in co npsriy with the gaoler and w.irde-s of Mount Eden gaol, lie interviewed the girl, and after warning her that anything she said might he used against her, she made the confession. He denies there was any extortion Auckland, Nov 5.

The Magisterial Enquiry into the charges against Caffr y and Penn and Chary or Graham, in connection with the Great Barrier murder, commenced at noon before Mr H. G. Smith R.M. After the opening speech by Mr Williamion, Crown Prosecutor, the girl, Grace Graham, charged with being an aocessory after the fact, was placed in the witness box. She gave an account of What transpired during the voyage of tin Sovereign of the Seas from Auckland to the Barrier, Caffrey and Penn discussed plans which were to carry off Mrs Seymour (Caffrey’s former sweetheart) and if Mrs Taylor resisted to cutoff her ears or tongue so she could not tell who did it The men landed very early in the morning, and slept a short time on the beach before starting for Taylor's house. The girl says she saw them, she being still on the cutter. Penn went first,as according to arrangement he was to go and ask for butter, to put Taylor off his guard, while Caffrey secured the girl. If Taylor or iiis sons offered resistance weapons Were to be used at this stage.

Mr Napier counsel for Penn and the girl, strongly objected to the girl being further questioned until the charge of being accessory after the act was withdrawn. The Bench disallowed the objection, but cautioned the girl not to ciminate herself.

The adjournment followed. There was again a great crowed inside and outBide the Coart.

LATER. At the preliminary invts igation into the Great Barrier murder, Redon, the governor of.the gaol, made a statement to the Bench emphaticiFy denying the alleged interviewing of Caffrey and Penn who at the time of the publication of their statements had only seen their counsel. Sergeant Pratt on behalf of the police authorities made a similar assertion. The evidence of the girl Grace Graham occupied ail day. It was clearly and unhesitatingly given and was damaging to Caffrey but tended to exculpate Penn of any share in the actual deeb.S he was discharged, and the charge against her withdrawn.