OWNERSHIP OF TROTTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19932, 28 April 1928, Page 12

OWNERSHIP OF TROTTER

CASE OF THE ABBEY. TRIP FROM NEW PLYMOUTH. NOW ONi FARM AT MANGERE. Tho mystery of the disappearance of a trotter from the stables -of Mr. A. E. Adams, at New Plymouth, on Monday evening, has been solved. Aji was suggested by tho Herald's New Plymouth correspondent in a message published yesterday, the horse was The Abbey, a pacing gelding, which has shown considerable promise recently. It was removed under cover of night, and brought to Mr. A. Cameron's farm at Mangere. It is there at present.

It is understood that thero has been some dispute between Mr. F. Whitehead, of Pukekolie, and Mr. Adams as to the ownership of the horse. The Abbey was bred by Mr. Cameron, by Gold Bell—The Abbess. All the horsos sired by Gold Bell were inclined to bo a little too high spirited when young, and at a sale about two and a-half years ago Mr. Whitehead bought Tho Abbey in his wife's name for £B. Shortly afterwards, a mare sired by Gold Bell developed considerably, and Mr. Whitehead thought his purchase might prove valuable when a little older. He was not prepared to race the horse himself, and contends he asked Mr. Adams to train the horse and race it under the Matter's name, making provision for a division of the winnings after all expenses had been paid; in short, that a transfer was arranged but only for racing purposes. Mr. Adams holds that the horso was given to him. Mr. Adams trained the horse and in December The Abbey made his first appearance at the South Wairarapa meeting. Ho started twice, but was not placed on either occasion. However, as Mr. Whitehead had expected, tho horso was developing and at the Manawatu meeting on March 7, he won the Ladies' Bracelet and Stewards' Handicap. The Abbey's next engagements were at Wanganui recently. He was unplaced on the first day, but on, tho second won tho Wanganui Stakes.

Then came the removal of the gelding from Mr. Adams' stables, and its trip in a horse-box on a motor-lorry to Mangere, where Mr. Cameron states it was placed in his care by Mr. Whitehead.

There was some excitement at Mr. Cameron's farm on Thursday evening, when a strange man was discovered on the property, and was located, hiding in a tree, by a farm dog. He informed Mr. W. Brain, manager of the farm, that ho was Mr. Adams, and that he had come to take back his horse. The Onehunga police were 'called, and eventually Mr. Adams was persuaded to let- the matter rest for the time being. There will probably be an inquiry to establish who is the rightful owner.