Fined Half A Horse!

SOME years ago a missionary living in the Torres Strait owned a pony which, when he had no further use for the ani mal, he gave away to two natives —each to have a half-share. One of the natives was an Island Councillor, and he be thought himself of a cute plan to possess the whole of the pony. When his brother was brought before the Native Court for some infraction of the regulations, the Councillor, acting as judge, pronounced the following judgment with solemn dig nity: “The prisoner will be fined half a horse." The wise cadi then became the happy owner of the whole of the animal and peace reigned supreme over the island.

The same Councillor was a bit too clever on another occasion. He was about to fine his own wife the sum of five pounds, but suddenly remembering from whose pocket the fine would be paid, promptly revised the amount to a mere half-a crown.