LOSSES OF SHEEP

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1696, 31 August 1904, Page 74

LOSSES OF SHEEP

THEFT SAID TO BE PREVALENT. According to statements made at the meeting of the Canterbury Sheep-owners’ Union in Christchurch last week, sheepstealing is prevalent in that district. The chairman, Mr E. Teschemalcer, said he did not wonder that this crime was so rife when it was so difficult to catch those who were guilty of it, and to get juries to convict them. The following letter on this subject from Mr Geo. G. Stead was read: —“There is every reason to believe that slieep-steal-ing on a large scale is being carried on systematically in North Canterbury. I own a small property in the neighbourhood of Waikari, which carries about 10,000 sheep. The average loss by deaths during the past few years has been between two and three per cent. Last year, however, despite the fact that almost all the sheep on the place were young, strong, and healthy, between 1500 and 1600 sheep were missing. I have two paddocks of 3000 acres each, four paddocks of 2000 acres each, the balance of the property being fenced in small areas of 50 acres or so. My son and the head shepherd have been over the place time and again, and have failed to find more than

a few dead carcases. He finished shearing last December, when h® found that there were 1500 to 1600 sheep missing. Shortly afterward we cleared off every old sheep on the place. In March the sheep were brought in and dipped, when there was a further shortage of 400, i. 0., 400 between the shearing in December and Die dipping in March. Probably 100 were killed for use on the place, but in any case this would show a shortage of 300 young, strong, healthy sheep during tlie three summer months. Eveny_effprt has been made to discover the leakage, with the result that both my son and our neighbours are unanimous in believing that the loss is caused by theft. It has been suggested to me that I should write to you, as the head of the Sheep-owners’ Union in Canterbury, and propose that a special ranger be appointed tor JNorch Canterbury, and that a reward of £IOO or .£2/00 should be offered on conviction of the thief or thieves. I trust you will see your way to give this suggestion your earliest consideration.” Other members spoke of the prevalence of tins crime, and it was finally agreed to oner <£loo as a reward for information leading to the conviction of any person guilty of stealing sheep from a member of the union.