THE MURDER AT GREAT BARRIER ISLAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5651, 22 June 1886, Page 4

THE MURDER AT GREAT BARRIER ISLAND.

« More Complete Details.

[Pas Pbkbb Association.] AUCKLAND, June 21. Farther details of the murder ab Great Barrier Island report that, on Saturday morning last, Perm went to Taylor's house and asked for some butter. Taylor told him he could hare some, and asked Perm what cutter he was in. Perm told him it wag the Teviot. Taylor replied, "Oh, is it." Caftrey, it is said, then walked up, and told Taylor to " put his hands up," and fired one chamber of his revolver at him, which did not hurt him. Perm then seized Taylor, and, it is alleged, held him while Caffrey fired three more Bhots, which killed him, one shot going through the poor man's head. While this tragic scene was being enacted, the other members of the family, which consisted of three women and a boy, left the house, and Perm is reported to have run out, calling Mrs Taj lor back, and threatened to shoot her if she did not come. He (Penu) then asked her where the girlß were. Mrs Taylor told him they were living at Mr Seymour's. Then Caffrey is alleged to have replied, " "We'll go out there and do for them." They then went on board the cutter, and tried to get to Seymour's place, Heretaunga, but the wind being unfavourable, they could not do so. Meanwhile, Lincoln Taylor, the son, rode over to Seymour's place with the sad intelligence, and Mr Seymour started for Tryphena. Previously to this, the postman, Mr Blair, had despatched the o utter Tairna to Coromandel for assistance, but shortly after she started she ran back to Tryphena. On Sunday morning the Tairua again started, and brought the news hero to Sergeant Eist. There seems to have been no reason whatever for this terrible outrage, as Mr Taylor was one of the most respectable men on the Island. He was a native of Gorton, in Lancashire, and several of his relatives occupy leading positions in that town. There has not been a vessel in Tryphena for the last eight years which •will not beat testimony to the kindness and hospitality of the Taylor family. Superintendent Thomson, on receiving intimation from Wellington, chartered the s.B. Kowena to convey the Coroner and the doctor to the Island to conduct the inquest to-morro?r. A posse of police, consisting of Sergeant Clarke, three constables, and Detective Toohey, also go by the steamer, fully armed, to arrest Caffrey and his accomplice, Perm. The Sovereign of the Seas was last 6een cruising off the Island. Prom threats made previously, it appears that the crime had been premeditated by Caffrey, who has taken in a stock of provisions for the cutter, and the owners state that he is behindhand in his accounts. He always carried a revolver. There is one girl on the cutter, named Reid, and she is said to belong to Gisborne. The Kowena leaves at 10 p.m. A waterman in Auckland says Caffrey threatened two months ago to " put a head " on Taylor.