SUPREME COURT.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2145, 10 January 1881, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SITTINGS. Monday, Jakuaby 10. [Before His Honor Mr Justice Johnston.] The Court reopened at 11 a.m. WILFDX MUBDBB. Walter Fringle Gibson was placed in the dock oharged with the wilful murder of one Korrioon at Templeton on the 25th of December. Mr Holmes said he had to apply to his Honor for a postponement of the trial until next session of the Supreme Court on the affidavits whioh he had filed. His Honor—Will you read the affidavits, Mr Holmes ? Mr Holmes then read the affidavit of Thoß. Dowling, stating that he had had Walter Fringle Gibson in his employ for some years, and that he considered him a person of weak and unsound mind. That there were a number of witnesses who could prove this, but that thoy were scattered over the Provincial District of Canterbury, so that it would require a month at least to get them together to give evidence in the case. The next affidavit was that of himself, in whioh he stated that though he had used every effort to procure the witnesses neoessary for the defence the time was too short, and that it was absolutely necessary that the postponement asked for should be granted, so that he might obtain the necessary witnesses to prove the insanity of the prisoner. His Honor asked Mr Holmes whether he was prepared to consider the point as to the effect of the prisoner being able to plead now, though perhaps in a state of insanity at the time of the offence. Mr Holmes said he was not. He desired to read a telegram f aom Mr W. B. Tosswill, whioh was to the effect that the prisoner had been in his employ for some years, and had been discharged on account of insanity or weakness of intellect. His Honor asked Mr Duncan if he had read the affidavits, and whether he had any objecjections to offer to the proposed postponement. Mr Duncan said he had read the affidavits, and, under the circumstances, he would not be prepared to offer any objeotion. His Honor said that, considering the affidavits filed, and also that the prosecution offered no objeotion, he felt it his duty to grant the postponement as requested. The Court then adjourned till 10 a.m. on Thursday next, when the civil cases will be prooeeded with.