CATTLE-STEALING AT WAITAKEREI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11163, 8 September 1899, Page 5

CATTLE-STEALING AT WAITAKEREI.

Our Waitakerei correspondent writes:—l am sorry to have to state that the miserable sneak-thief is still about this district. An act of considerable audaoity was perpetrated on Sunday evening or night, August 27. Mr. Thos. Shelley, of the Dilwort-h homestead farm, has been sorely perplexed for some time past at the disappearance of his sheoj., without being able to find any traces of their dead carcases or otherwise. On tho Sunday in question he had a few enclosed in a small garden, which was secured with wire-netting, in addition to the ordinary fence. Amongst other sheep was a ewo in good condition, her lamb running with her. Mr. T. Shelley paid a visit to his father-in-law, Mr. Meikle, during the day, and on the Monday morning the ewe had totally disappeared, and tho little lamb left motherless. I might mention that last shearing season Mr. Shelley was somo 30 short. Some parts of this district have long boen noted for the disappearance of cattle and sheep, and it is a pity that the offenders cannot be caught in the act, and an example made of them as a warning. I believe at one time a suggestion was made that the different cattle and flock-owners should combine and offer a substantial reward for the conviction of the thieves. Certainly the farmers hero, who are all in a small way, have quite enough to contend with without being preyed upon by such thieves.