A GHOULISH ACT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 314, 28 May 1913, Page 5

A GHOULISH ACT.

GROSS OUTRAGE AT A CEMETERY. By Telegraph-Press Association. ■„ ""., , / Wairoa, May 26. A gross outrage at the Wairoa cemetery was to the police this, afternoon. A resident of Mangaone wa». buried yesterday afternoon, and the.' grave was topped over in the ordinary way. To-day it was reported to thepolice that the grave had been opened' up and 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 b»J led 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 McKenrieEdwards, alias fleCourccy, on suspicion of.rifling the graye. When charged, he confessed, and handed over the tools used. The only statement made wa* that he was after money. When before the authorities accused's behaviour* was peculiar. . i

Wairoa, Tuesday. , Edwards, m addition to confessing to the desecration of a grave, admitted, tampering with another grave, soma'' time ago. He had evidently refilled it-' 5 but so badly that the sexton was mis- ' led into thinking there was merely the usual subsidence. It is assumed that, healso broke a second coffin, as a screw was found in the loose earth. Accused was medically examined, and though h*' was not insane, his record is ro bad that it is doubtful if he is fit to plead