GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7786, 4 November 1886, Page 5

GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

Mr. W. J. Napier, eolioitor for the prisoners, H. A. Penn and Lizzie Graham, has a grievance of which he has no intention of losing sight. On visiting his client Graham yesterday he ascertained that Mr. William* son, Crown Prosecutor, had been to the Gaol, and interviewed the girl. Mr. Napier having advised her to make no statements except in his presence, «he was rather alarmed at first; but, according to her own statement, she was not informed that Mr. Williamson was the Crown Prosecutor, and thought that when she was making her statement Mr. Williamson oame from Mr. Napier. Mr. Napier asserts that Mr. Williamson cross-examined the girl, and put the questions in such a way as to suggest answers, informing her that he had the oase for the other two men. Mr. Napier was very indignant when he interviewed his olient yesterday and ascertained what had been done. He interviewed Mr. Williamson in the street, and no doubt upbraided him. "Mr. Williamson offered to supply him with a copy of the statement made by the girl, but this was declined, and some strong remarks passed as to professional conduct. Mr. Napier telegraphed to the Attorney-General as follows: — "Sir R. Stout, Wellington, —Re Great Barrier alleged murder; I am acting as counsel herein for Penn and Graham. Williamson Crown solicitor, contrary to my expressed wish, and without notifying me of his intention, visited acoused Graham, and extorted statement from her. Girl thought Williamson came from me. Does Government approve of such unprecedented and reprehensible conduct?—W. J. Nafikb." Mr. Napier had an interview with Penn and with the girl Graham or Cleary yesterday, and the girl expressed to him her sorrow that she had unintentionally made the statement she had done. The Tamaki Packet cutter, whioh was chartered by Mr. Brassey, solicitor, on Monday last to go down to the Great Barrier for the purpose of bringing up the witnesses in the murder case, has not been able to get away, Mrs. Brassey'e illness preventing Mr. Brassey from going down. Throughout Tuesday and yesterday, however, the cutter was kept in readiness to start, but, as before stated, it was on Tuesday morning decided by Mr. Brassey not to go. In the matter of collecting subscriptions for the defence of Csffrey, we learn that some £42 has been collected, but to whom to pay the maney is now apparently the troublesome question. The lona leaves this morning at eight o'clook for the Great Barrier, and will bring up the witnesses, who are expected to join her at Tryphena Harbour. The eteamer may be expected back about one o'olock to-morrow morning. "^. I If. seems that Caffrey is not colonial born after all, but was born at a township called Caven, in England. He was an infant three weeks old when his parents left London in the Orieutil Queen, for Auckland, his father belonging to the division of New Zealand Fencibles coming ont in that vessel, under Captain (now Colonel) Haultain. Oaffrey'* father served in the 37th Regiment, that to which Colonel Haultain belonged for 21 years, being a master tailor in the regiment, and retired with a pension. He was a man of very violent tempor, a failing which his son inherited. The family settled in the cottage and acre at Onehanga allotted to them. Some time afterwarde Caffrey's father took to drink, and in a fit of melancholy over domestic troubles, committed suicide. In the course of time Caffrey junior went to the Barrier, as also did his mother. He was subsequently on Sir George Grey's estate at Kawau for some time. He has two sisters and a step sister still living.