CEMETERY OUTRAGE AT WAIROA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 28 May 1913, Page 5

CEMETERY OUTRAGE AT WAIROA

A GRAVE RIFLED

SUSPECT ADMITS GUILT.

(.United Press Association.)

WAIROA, May 26i.

A gross outrage at the Wairoa cemetery was reported to the police this afternoon. A resident of Mangaone was buried yesterday afternoon, and th& grave was topped over in the ordinary way. To-day it was reported to the police that the grave had been opened up> down to the coffin, the lid of which was splintered with a spade or axe, and the trimmings exposed. - No motive for the outrage can be suggested. The deceased had nothing of value buried with him, and having been a most inoffensive man, there is no suggestion of revenge. At 5.30 p.m. the police arrested a man named Richard M'Kenzie Edwards, alias De Courcey, on suspicion of rifling the grave. When charged, he confessed, and handed over the tools used. The only statement made was that he was after Money. When before the axithorities accused's behaviour was peculiar.

(The foregoing message, which was not forwarded by the Press Association to Nelson, explains the telegrams which was published yesterday.)

EDWARDS COMMITTED TO AN ASYLUM.

WAIROA, This Day.

Richard McKenzie Edwards, the grave desecrator, has 'been committed to an asylum.