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<P><SPAN STYLE="font-size: 14pt"><STRONG></STRONG></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-size: 14pt"><STRONG><CENTER>TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN</STRONG></SPAN></CENTER>
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<P><STRONG><CENTER></CENTER>
</STRONG></P>

<P><STRONG><CENTER>NO. 03-96-00617-CV</CENTER>
</STRONG></P>

<P><STRONG><CENTER></CENTER>
</STRONG></P>

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<P><STRONG><CENTER>Thomas C. Retzlaff, Appellant</CENTER>
</STRONG></P>

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<P><STRONG><CENTER>v.</CENTER>
</STRONG></P>

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<P><STRONG><CENTER>Arumdbhai Jivandhai Patel, aka Arvin Patel and aka Randy Simmon; Rajendra</CENTER>
</STRONG></P>

<P><STRONG><CENTER>Gandhi, aka Roger Gandhi; Michelle Rodriquez; Danita E. Fisher, aka</CENTER>
</STRONG></P>

<P><STRONG><CENTER>Danita E. Thurston; Ellen L. Hays; and Zenith Insurance Company, Appellees</CENTER>
</STRONG></P>

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<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<P><STRONG><CENTER></CENTER>
</STRONG></P>

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times" STYLE="font-size: 11pt"><STRONG><CENTER>FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF BELL COUNTY, 169TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT</CENTER>
</STRONG></SPAN></P>

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: CG Times" STYLE="font-size: 11pt"><STRONG><CENTER>NO. 159,388-C, HONORABLE RICK MORRIS, JUDGE PRESIDING</STRONG></SPAN><SPAN STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman"><STRONG></CENTER>
</STRONG></SPAN></P>

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman"><STRONG><CENTER></CENTER>
</STRONG></SPAN></P>

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<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman"><STRONG>PER CURIAM</STRONG></SPAN></P>

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<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman"><STRONG>		</STRONG>Appellant Thomas Retzlaff sought to appeal a trial court order by posting an appeal bond
listing his wife as surety.  On January 30, 1997, this Court held that an individual may not serve as a surety
for his or her spouse on an appeal bond where the individual does not claim ownership of separate property
sufficient to cover the bond.  <EM>See Retzlaff v. Patel</EM>, No. 03-96-00617-CV (Tex. App.--Austin Jan. 30,
1997, no writ) (not designated for publication).  We allowed  Retzlaff an opportunity to file an amended
bond listing a proper surety.  The bond should have been filed by February 14, 1997.  No  amended bond
has been filed to date.</SPAN></P>

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman">		This Court has no jurisdiction in the absence of a proper perfecting instrument. <EM>Davies v.
Massey</EM>, 561 S.W.2d 799, 801 (Tex. 1978).   Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal on our own motion. 
Tex. R. App. P. 60(a)(2).  We also dismiss appellee Zenith Insurance Company's motion to dismiss for
want of prosecution and Retzlaff's motion for extension of time to file the record.</SPAN></P>

<BR WP="BR1"><BR WP="BR2">
<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman">Before Chief Justice Carroll, Justices Aboussie and B. A. Smith</SPAN></P>

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman">Appeal Dismissed for Want of Jurisdiction</SPAN></P>

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman">Filed:   March 6, 1997</SPAN></P>

<P><SPAN STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman">Do Not Publish</SPAN></P>

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