YOUNG SHIRE Council nearly abandoned hope but thanks to the sharp eye of two local chaps, the Chinese Tribute Gardens bronze horse statue has come home.
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The 1600-year-old Chinese artifact replica, commemorating Young’s sister relationship with Lanzhou City in China, was stolen from its mounting sometime between August 8 and September 4 last year.
The two young men noticed the statue in the creek at Murringo Gap Gorge two weeks ago and took it to the police and Young Shire Council.
Just last month council offered a $1000 reward for its return.
Council’s general manager Peter Vlatko said they were very grateful the horse was back.
However the base and feet of the statue is so badly damaged, council will still need to order a replacement from China.
“We thought we would never see it again,” Mr Vlatko said.
“But to get it back was unbelievable – we thought it had to be taken for a joke, it shows it wasn’t taken for gain or profit.”
