MAGISTERIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3307, 7 November 1883, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

+ TIMARU—THIS DAY. (Before J. Beswick, Esq., R.M., and T. W. Hall, Esq.) pawnbroker's license. M. Fruhauf was granted a renewal of his pawnbroker’s license. SHEEP STEALING. C. Fobel was charged, on remand, with stealing two sheep at Ofcaio, on Got. 3 and one on the 13th, all being the property of Mr T. Teschemaker. Mr White appeared to prosecute. Mr Forster said he had been requested by Mr Hamersley, who was at present in Christchurch, to intimate that he (Mr Hamersley) withdrew from the defence. The following evidence was called by Mr White Edmund Smith said that on October 3, he and the prisoner went out pighunting on the run, prisoner carrying a gun and a knife, and having two dogs with him. They got no pigs; and on their return, prisoner remarking that he would not go home without some meat, fired at one sheep, and set his dogs on another. Finally, they were both skinned, and the entrails and fleece buried by prisoner. He (witness) carried home one of the carcases on his back, prisoner taking the other. Subsequently witness informed one Jackson of what had taken place. Prisoner afterwards, on October 13, killed another sheep, and hid the skin in the creek. Of this witness also informed Jackson, and subsequently led Mr Thierens and and Jackson to the spot where the skins lay. Charles Jackson, farmer, Otaio, said on a certain morning in October, he visited prisoner’s hut to borrow some matches, and perceived on the table a good deal of fine fat mutton. The previous witness on October 4 and 26 gave witness certain information. The witness afterwards accompanied Smith and Thierens to where the skins were buried.

John Thierens, station manager for Mr Teschemaker, gave evidence of being taken by Jackson and Smith to the spot where the skins were buried and of finding the skins (produced) of which he identified two. The third he said he was unable to fully identify. Sergeant Eamsay gave evidence of of the arrest of prisoner, and stated that on beingarrested, he remarked—" They have to prove it. They'll have to find the skins first.” In reply to the usual caution, prisoner merely remarked —“ Not guilty, sir.” Prisoner was fully committed for trial at the ensuing sessions of the Supreme Court.