BORROWED HORSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 27, 1 February 1930, Page 13

BORROWED HORSES.

BROTHERS IN TROUBLE. FINED FOR CONVERSION. ? THEFT OF OVERCOAT. Having abandoned a scrub-cutting contract in the Whakatanc district last week, two brothers, Thomas Khind (2T), and Francis John Khind (20) borrowed two horses to carry them to the nearest railway station. The result was that itihcy appeared at the Police Court this morning jointly charged with unlawfully converting the horses, saddles and bridles, valued at £10, the property of Rangi Yercoe to their own use. The elder brother was further indicted with stealing a coat valued at 1!)/. Pleas of guilty were entered by accused. Chief Detective Hammond explained to the Court that the brothers had been working 1 four or five miles from Whakatane. They finished working last Thursday, and in order to get to the nearest statjpn they took the two liorses, which belonged to a Maori. The coat was strapped to the saddle on one of the horses, and when the men were arrested in Auckland it was in the possession of Thomas Rhind. Tliti horses had been left to drift back home, but they did not. arrive there. Thomas Rhind said the overcoat was taken by mistake. Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M.: When did you discover the mistake? Accused: At 5.30 o'clock, when I went to put it on. Mr. McKean: But it was fastened to the saddle. Accused: It was on the saddle. Mr. Hammond said both men belonged to Auckland and were, hard working. There was no question about the overcoat having been stolen,' however. Each accused was convicted and fined £5 on the charge of conversion, while the elder was convicted and fined a like amount in respect to the theft of the coat. Default in payment of the fines was fixed at 21 days' imprisonment, although time was allowed the brothers, in which to pay.