SUPREME COURT, TIMARU.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1186, 15 December 1883, Page 3

SUPREME COURT, TIMARU.

Tho hi annual sitting of the above Court commenced iu Timaru yesterday, His Honor Mr Justice Johnston presiding. MVssrs S, D. and F. H. Barker were each fined L 5 for being absent when called upon to serve on the jury, and J. C. Knight ss, his absence being unavoidable. His Honor briefly charged the Graiid Jury. He remarked that both as to numbers and gravity of the offences the calendar was not a heavy one, though it was sufficiently so. He then proceeded to instruct the Graud Jury as to the various cases, and they then retired, Tho Grand Jury found true bills against Charles Fobel, for sheepstealing (two indictments) ; John Flynn, for larceny ; F. C. Bourdon, for embezzlement (two indictments). A nolle prosequi was entered against tho lad Newell, charged with placing stones on the railway line at St Anc'rews, he being now insane. Charles Fobel, alias Le i'ievre, was was charged, on two indictments, with stealing and killing sheep at Otaio, such sheep being the property of Mr Thomas Teschemaker.

He pleaded guilty to both charges, and was sentenced to four years' imprisonment on each count, the sentences to run concurrently. Jolm Flynu was charged with steal ing from the dwelling of Heiman Mahnke, atTemuka, on Oetcb'T 12ih, 18s3, a silver watch valued »t L 6 15s, a chain valued at LI, a locket valued at KK and a vest valued at 12s 6d. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor stated that on the day specified, prisoner called to see him (witness), and they had beer together. Witness, being drunk, went to sleep while they,were taking the beer. The watch, chain an I locket (produced) Were witness' property. Witness had never given the articles to prisoner. When witness awoke, prisoner was not there, but the police asked him shortly afterwards if he had mi<s«d his watch. He met prisoner next in the lock-up, and prisoner asked witness to help him: out of the scrape.

In cross-examination the witness stated he did not remember giving prisoner the watch. Prisoner statpd be was a shoemaker, and the witneßS invited him to his house to stay the night.

Constable Morton detailed the circumstances attending the arrest o f prisoner on October 13. Witness entered Mahnke's house ami found him insensible, and prisoner pouring beer into his (Mahnke's) mouth. Subsequently he found prisoner in possession of the watch and chain and arrested him, when he gave several names, deciding on John Flynn at last as his real name.

After hearing further evidence for the prosecution, prisoner made a statement for the defence, alleging that Mahnke gave him the articles, alleged to have been stolen, to dispose of for him, He was found guilty, and a sentt-nce of 12 months' imprisonment with hard labor wa* passed upon liira.