A GHOULISH OUTRAGE

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10656, 27 May 1913, Page 8

A GHOULISH OUTRAGE

Per Press Association. Wairoa, May 2G. A gross outrage at tho Wairoa '■■cemetery was reported to the police t'his afternoon. *A man named ■■'. Jones, a resident of Mangaon?. buried yesterday afternoon, 1 • ' ; grave was topped over in tha i.-.uiii-ary way. To-day it was discovered 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. It would need a strong man to commit so foul a deed. Deceased had nothing of value buried with him, and having been a most inoffensive nun, there is no suggestion of revere. At 5.30 the police arretted iiichaid McKenzio'Edwards alias Lc) Coarcey, on suspicion of rifling the grave. When charged he confessed and handed over the tools he used. The only statement lie made was that he was aft-if money. The man appears to bs mentally unbalanced. Wairoa, May 27. Edwards in addition to confessing to the desecrati n of a grave admitted tampering with another grave some 'time ago. He had evidently refilled it, but so badly that the sexton was misled thinking it merely the usual subsidence. it is assumed also that he broko a second coffin as a t'crew was found in loose earth. Accused was medically examined, and though i;o is not insane his record is so bad that it is doubtful if he is fit; t:u plead.