SOMBRERO AND SMILES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 251, 22 October 1926, Page 9

SOMBRERO AND SMILES.

- MISLED BY "GINGER." GREY GELDING THAT VANISHED. FORTNIGHT TO PAY THE FIXE. A familiar figure in Queen Street, William Forgie, who sometimes impersonates well-known picture actors appearing in thrilling photoplays of the wild west type by riding up and down the main street on a "mustang," attired in chaps, with a revolver in his holster and a real Tom Mix sobrero, was seen in a different role when he appeared at the Police Court this morning, charged with converting a hor3e valued at £12, the property of E. G. Sandle, to his own use.

Forgie, who is known .by some as "Buffalo Bill," "Texas Bill,"" etc., had his high boots on, but they were ineide his trousers. He also had his widebrimmed velour Stetson. With carefree nonchalance he clutched his hat in one hand, while the other hand he held to hia ear. He pleaded not guilty.

The complainant, Sandle, said that he was a retired stock agent and resided at Mount Albert. He kept several horses in a 60-aere paddock in Mount Albert. On September 30 he found that a grey gelding was missing from the paddock. Later witness saw accused riding it in Queen Street. Witness had not given Forgie permission to take or ride the horse.

Accused: Do you know a party called "Ginger." I don't know his other name, but he ie a tall fair man. He told mc that the horse was hard to catch and that I could go out and get it. We were to laesoo it? —No I don't know "Ginger."

Acting Detective Craigie said that he interviewed Forgie about the matter. Forgie stated that he was a farmer of Pakuranga, and' that one night he was doing a musical turn at the West End Theatre, in Ponsonby. There, he said, he met a man whom he knew as "Ginger." "Ginger" told him he could go and get the horse, whicli Jie said was a buckjumper, from the paddock at Mount Albert, so together with another man named Carlos, he went out to Mount Albert at 5 o'clock one morning. After finding the paddock he took the horse and rode it about town for several days. He rode it up to the Farmers' Trading Company and tied it up outside. On coming out again he found that someone had let it go. Later he noticed an advertisement in the "Star" notifying that-the horse had been found, but on going to get the animal he discovered that it had been returned to the owner. As "Ginger" and Carlos had both left Auckland, Forgie said he did not know what to do with the horse.

Mr. Hunt: So "Ginger" has gone away and so has Carlos?—Yes, sir. I thought everything was all right about the horse when "Ginger" told mc to. get it. I did not steal it or,try to sell it, for I rode it in Queen Street. J ,

Mr. Hunt: Yo)x are lucky that you are not charged with something more serious you know. , You will-be convicted and'fined £5. *.?

..Chief.:Detective;'Cummings suggested thafcForgie might trine to pay the fine;. Nothing w£s.previously, known agajnst him.' V - : '";■•'"'

*Mr. ; v Huat; How will a fortnight do? -Fof|iei Oh, that fyfll suite mc lovely, thank-.you. -• ••.•;'■• Haying,, placed his widebrimi&ed hat on , his .head, Forgie walked to'the door of "the-'Court,' but he had not gist that far when the Court orderly called, out iif stentorian tone "Take that Bat 'off." Much surprised,' but still . wearing a broad smile, he left the Court with his beloved hat in his hand.