THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7996, 29 January 1887, Page 2

THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, January 23. In an interview which a reporter had with Mr Ballance, the Minuter stated that he did not think it would he necessary to alter . hia movements in order to attend the Cabinet Council at Wellington to consider Caffrey aud Penn's statements, or the petition for a reprieve. What was necessary to be done on his part could be done by telegraph. He expressed bis opinion that it would bo much better to conform to the Eoglish practice, where the Home Secretary was the responsible adviser of the Crown and the last Court of appeal, other members of the Government not interfering in the matter. In this Colony the Minister of Justice should be the responsible adviser of tbe Governor, with whom the free and independent exercise of the prerogative of mercy finally . rested as the representative of the Queen. ; The practice of holding Cabinet Councils on such questions hod been in vogue, though he did not see the necessity for it, the functions of Ministers being only consultative. * Later, Caffrey and Penn’s statements have, it appears, been made to the Rev J. Hill, and Caffrey was anxious th&t that made by him' should be published. Mr Hill took legal advice as to tbe legality of such a publics-, tion, aud though he was advised that he would bo perfectly justified ia carrying out his wish, cit cumstauces arose which caused, him to consider that such publication would bo undesirable.' Caffrey ia not aware of the exertions being made by his friends on his behalf, those who have access to him retraining from any reference to it, believing that it would be cruel to buoy him up with any false hopes. The confessions or statements of Caffrey and Peon were forwarded South yesterday. Ne thing has yet been disclosed of a definite character further than that Penn admits firing the fatal shot, and acquits Caffrey of the murder; and that Penn fired two shots aud Caffrey two. Some of tbe statements given indicate serious discrepancies, and, if true, traverse a considerable portion of tho evidence of the members of the Taylor family. It is just possible th&t in the surprise and excitement of the straggle none of the parties had sufficient presence of mind to note the accurate sequence of events, and' that the narratives on both sides, though marred by discrepancies, are given in good faith.

Yesterday Captain Wright, of the Salvation Army, sent a message to Caffrey through the Rev J. S. Hill, Anglican chaplain of the gaol, expressing, on behalf of his people, their anxiety for the salvation of the condemned men, and their pity and commiseration for them in their sore trouble. Caffrey and Penn were greatly moved by the kindness thus shown to them, expressing their gratitude and thanka with tears. ' The two men are daily perusing the devotional books placed at their disposal. Quite a : number of people have been desirous of seeing ■ them on religious matters. T. B. Hannaford has forwarded a personal petition to the Governor for the reprieve of Penn. In the event of Caffrey being re-, prieved, Ur W. J. Napier, counsel for Penn at the late trial, intends taking steps to get up a petition for commutation of the capital sentence in'Penn’s case, on the ground that it is unjust to pardon the ringleader and execute a subordinate actor in the Great Barrier expedition. It appears that the stoppage of expenses as a witness for the> Crown of the girl Grace Graham, or Cleary, was done by direction or order of his Honor, in whose discretion the matter lies. The girl went to the Crown Prosecutor in relation to the stoppage, bat of coarse that functionary could do nothing respecting it. She is said to.have remarked, she cared nothing about the money for its own sake, but being without funds, it was her desire to procure some tokens of mourning for “ Harry's sake." It is her intention to get away from the city and from her evil associates, and rejoin her sister, who resides in one of the country districts.

From various circumstances which have transpired there is reason to believe that both men on their return to tbe cotter withheld from her the whole troth, or such portions as they desired not to commnnicate, and therefore the misstatements in her evidence were simply a repetition of the fictions which they imposed npon her. It scams that daring the whole passage across, Pena maintained a sulky, morose attitude, and a spirit of reticence, which led to strained relations pa mare than one occasion between tbo girl and Penn. The reason for this line of conduct was given by Caffrey, who urged Penn to silence her, on the ground that “ they could not trust the girl.”