Long Search after a Pony.—

At the Croydon County Court on Tuesday the suit Maynard v. Pharoah was heard.

—This was claim of arising out a series of somewhat complicated circumstances.

—The plaintiff Mr. Samuel Maynard, of Pell-street, Canning Town, and the defendant Richard Pharoah, of Queen’s-road, Mitcham.

—Mr. Atkinson appeared for the plaintiff, and said the 4th June, 1887, Maynard lent pony to a man named Bailey on hire. Bailey took the pony away and did not return it. Subsequently it was found that he had absconded, and the next that was heard of him was at a public-house in Canning Town. In February Bailey gave himself up at Plaistow Police station, and from certain statements then made was brought before the Bench, committed for trial, convicted, and sentenced to nine months imprisonment in the presence of the prosecutor. In the first week of last September plaintiff received certain information that his pony was in the Croydon district, and he came down and saw the pony in charge of the present defendant. They went to the Mitcham Police-station, saw Inspector Knott, and in reply his inquiries, Pharoah stated that he bought the pony of a man named Bradey, in White-street, Clapham. Bradey was telegraphed to, and he referred plaintiff to a man named Sparrowhawk, who, in his turn, stated that he bought the pony of a man he did not know and had never seen before. Plaintiff was now suing for the unlawful detention of the pony.

—Mr. Dennis appeared for the defendant, and evidence was called on both sides, the question in doubt being that of identity.

—His Honour gave judgment for the plaintiff for £5, to be reduced to 10s. on the pony being given by the defendant and accepted by the plaintiff.

Source: Croydon Advertiser and East Surrey Reporter – Saturday 27 October 1888 from the British Newspaper Archive (subscription required)

Notes

1. Queens Road, Mitcham was part of the old Rocky.
2. Mitcham was in the Croydon District at this time.