POULTRY STOLEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22400, 22 April 1936, Page 12

POULTRY STOLEN

LOSSES IN COUNTRY OVER 1200 BIRDS TAKEN SYSTEMATIC RAIDS MADE Numerous thefts of poultry on a large scale have occurred in the southern suburban districts during recent months. According to statements by commercial poultry-keepers yesterday over 1200 pullets and hens have been stolen from farms in the Manurewa, Papatoetoe and Mangere districts within the past six months. Thefts of poultry on a minor scale have been prevalent, for years, but it is only during recent months that thf marauders have turned their attention to the pens of the commercial producers and that large-scale operations have been reported. The fact that several owners have lost upward of 100 birds in one night convinces the poultrymen that considerable organisation lies behind the thefts. Provision of Constable Manurewa was the first district to receive the attention of poultry thieves and one owner lost 136 pullets in one night. On an average valuation of 5s a head this owner was £34 poorer through the thieves' visit. The Manurewa Town Board, in making representations for the appointment of a resident policeman, instanced the losses of poultry, but the Commissioner of Police replied that no cases had been reported. On requesting residents for particulars the board was furnished with details covering losses of over 300 birds, and as a result a resident constable was appointed. Heavy Loser at Mangere The next theft was at Papatoetoe, where the owner of a flock of fully 5000 birds lost just under 500 pullets and hens within 15 days. The loss to this owner was about £125. The greatest loss suffered so far, however, fell to the lot of a Mangere owner. Several visits have been made to his premises, and his losses over the past six months total 576 pullets and hens. The most recent visit, a few weeks ago, resulted in the disappearance of 107 pullets. On that occasion, stated the owner yesterday, he was awakened by the sound of a motor vehicle about three o'clock in the morning. He went outside and saw a van disappearing along the road. It carried no lights. Raids on Stormy Nights It was significant, said this owner, that the premises were always raided on stormy nights. When weather conditions were normal there seemed to be no fear of thefts of poultry. The thieves had also shown discrimination in the premises they visited. All the owners concerned were resident in outlying districts, where there was comparatively little movement of population after nightfall. Although exhaustive inquiries have been carried out by the police no light has been thrown on the disappearance of the poultry.