Theft of Wool and Live Stock

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 226, 25 September 1935, Page 8

Theft of Wool and Live Stock

REWARD PROPOSALS OF FARMERS’ UNION

At its mooting at Marton yesterday tlio Wellington Provincial Executive of tho Farmers’ Union discussed the proposal to creato a fund to enable tlie offering of a substantial reward for information leading to the conviction of persons found stealing wool and live stock from farms.

The president (Mr Lloyd Hammond) stated that the matter had been discussed by tho Dominion executive of tho union as -well as by tlic sheepowners’ federation, both of which bodies took a serious view of the position. Tho Police Department had been consulted and their view of tho problem was that the reported thefts were tho work of farmers. This conclusion was arrived at from an investigation of tho suggestion that owners of motor lorries wero involved, that is, registered carriers. It appeared to the police that such persons could not bo concerned in tho business since they would havo tho utmost difficulty in readily! disposing of their illgotten gains. Mr J. B. S. Dudding suggested that suspicion attached to the small buyers who travelled about from farm to farm buying up small lots of wool, skins and hides. Ho suggested that branches should agreo to a levy of Gd a member on their capitation until a substantial fund was created to enable tho provinco to oiler a big roward. Tho trouble, considered Mr J. H. Mason, was that tho police had nothing to work on. A theft might bo reported, but it was difficult to follow the matter up. He had received a suggestion from a stock inspector which might prove effective in tracing sheep if it were adopted. Tho schcmo involved a definite sex mark, plus a district mark, both on one ear of the sheep, and then the owner's mark on the other ear. If this were univers-

ally applied sheep could be instantly recognised.

Mr A. J. Harris considered that the only way to put the stealing down was to set a watch and catch the culprits. The offer of a reward would help, but it was necessary to catch the lorry on tho business. He had waited for two years before lie was successful in catching the persons involved in thefts from his place. Agreeing that the ear marking proposal appeared to be a sound suggestion, Mr P. G. Jurgens did not think tho levy would bo agreed to by dairy farmers.

Tho point could bo overcome, stated Mr A. Howard, by including live stock, bides and wool. Dairy farmers were not immune from thefts, and to make a general provision that tho reward would bo payablo for information respecting the theft of live stock generally would meet their position. On tho motion of Messrs Dudding and A. Campbell tho meeting approved of the idea of the levy, and it was j further agreed to bring the matter before tho next meeting of the group provincial delegates. Mr J. 11. Mason voted against the proposal.