SHIFTING OF SHEEP.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 84, 20 January 1930, Page 3

SHIFTING OF SHEEP.

REMOVAL BY NIGHT OPPOSED. DUNEDIX, January 18. The practice of stealing sheen by night is said to be fairly common at certain periods of the year in Otago and South Canterbury, and so daring are tho offenders that victims sometimes lose as many as 100 sheep in a single night. Tho custom of the thieves is to place the stolen sheep in a lorry and move off, travelling perhaps 50 miles with their load- before the robbery is discovered. The matter was discussed at a meeting of the North Otago Farmers' Union on Friday, when it was urged that legislation was necessary making the removal of sheep by night iilegjrl except by permit. Cases were cited of sheep being stolen by motor-lorry, motor-launch, or other vehicle, in addition to stealing while droving. One farmer said it would be difficult to detect whether the motor-lorry was currying sheep or not, as many travelled with coverings. He urged that the legislation, if passed, be made

applicable to all lorries carrying stock or produce. It was decided to press for legislation to provide that lorries carrying stock or produce should procure permits to do so.