UNBRANDED CATTLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9002, 15 March 1888, Page 5

UNBRANDED CATTLE.

PRESENTMENT BY THE GRAND JURY. Yesterday afternoon, when the Grand Jury had completed their duties, the foreman, Mr. J. M. Clark, made the following presentment to the Judge of the Supreme Court: —"Your Honor: The Grand Jury desire to make a presentment to the Court on the practice of settlers turning out unbranded cattle on to runs and into unenclosed bush, a practice which the evidence submitted at the present sittings in the various cases of cattle stealing shows to be too prevalent. The Grand Jury consider this practice to be pernicious. It conduces to and gives facilities for carrying on the serious crime of cattle stealing; it is a fruitful source of strife amongst neighbours regarding the ownership of cattle ; and in some cases it may be the means of men being punished for cattlo stealing, when in their opinion they were only exercising the rights of owners. The Grand Jpry desire that the matter may bo brought under the notice of the proper authorities, and hope that stops may be taken to mitigate the evil, should it be found impossible entirely to prevent it." His Honor said he quite concurred with the Grand Jury that it was time there was some statutory provision making it obligatory that all cattle should be branded, and it would be better if such a law was passed. The Grand Jury was then discharged.