SHEEP-STEALING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3831, 14 August 1928, Page 2

SHEEP-STEALING.

• -* GLARING INSTANCES ON EAST COAST. Gisborne, August 12. “There is no use closing our eyes to the fact that considerable sheep-stealing is going on in this district,” said the president of the Poverty Bay executive of the Farmers’ Union, Mr. F. S. Bowen, this afternoon, in the course of a discussion of the prevalence of offences in Poverty Bay and the East Coast. On the other hand it was suggested that many losses had been the result of carelessness. ■

The discussion arose through the receipt of the following letter from a station holder at Tcpora, Tokomaru Bay: “I had a large mob of sheep stolen last autumn and did not discover my loss for about a week. The police endeavoured to trace them and told me they had many such cases in the district. At their suggestion I wrote to ask if the Union can move in the direction of having it made compulsory for mobs travelling further than say 10 miles, to be point-branded, and some law passed as to a signed declaration of ownership and destination to be carried by .the drover. I leave the details to more experienced men, but the police say that legislation on these lines would be of great assistance to them.” INSTANCES QUOTED.

The president, after referring to the fact that considerable sheepstealing was going on, gave instances of losses, stating that one farmer had lost 400 two-tooth eAves last year. He quoted another case where he alleged that a drover had

arrived at his destination with 200 sheep more than when he started. Mr. .T. C. Graham, said that on one occasion he noticed a district farmer’s sheep in a draft for the Waikato, and the men when spoken to said they would yard them out that night. The next day the speaker saw the owner who said he had not received the sheep, and follotving the mob he secured 07 twotooth wethers valued at 30/- each. *Mr. ,T. C. Field suggested that the Farmers’ Union should create a fund to pay rewards for convictions in- cases of sheep stealing. The reward could be fixed at £IOO.

The president said he did not want the impression out that all drovers were dishonest.

Several members suggested that the losses were due to carelessness on the part of owners. One member caused a laughter by stating that he had driven sheep along roads and brought home more than he had started with. After further discussion a committee Avas appointed to collaborate with the police and communicate with the Dominion executive on the subject.