TIMARU.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3564, 11 December 1882, Page 3

TIMARU.

December 11. A startling case of suicide occurred here at 11 o'clock this morning. The Supreme Court criminal sessions had just opened, and one of the first cases on the calender was that of M. Shepherd, the storekeeper who committed extensive frauds and levanted to 'Frisco about six months ago, and who returned to the colony months after crossing on the way the detective who was seat after him. Shepherd was arrested at Auckland and brought to Timaru, where be was committed for trial on six cases of forgery and uttering. Shepherd's uncle resides almost opposite tbe Supreme Court, and Shepherd went into his office a little before 11 o'clock. A few minutes afterwards a shot was heard fired in the office, and on some people runniog in they found Shepherd Iving on the floor in a dying state. A revolver was lying beside him and on examination it was found that he had shot himself through the heart. Medical assistance arrived, but life was pronounced to be extinct, and the body was removed to Stone's hotel, where an inquest will be held. It is stated Shepherd, who was out on bail, had been advised that defence was useless, and that the only chance was for him to plead guilty.