STOLEN FINE WOOL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17640, 2 December 1931, Page 11

STOLEN FINE WOOL

PACKED IN HIDING PLACES POLICE INVESTIGATIONS NEWCASTLE, Xov. # 2(i. Inquiries by lyioH'h’Ci-; S, <'. Wi! Ihi ms, 1 of Newmsitih 1 , amt .). Doga u, of Tannyort'h, during the past fortnight are believed by the police to have disclosed the cx-iste.iiice of a highly efficient organisation for marketing Stolen wool.

The results of the police inquiries suggest dint the alleged thieves would find a kidiug-place in rough country near a shed which wan about to begin shearing. After sunset on the day the shearing had begun, the thieves would! take a,way to hire hiding-place a wool pack and as much fine fleece a 3 they could carry. More wool and as many more packs as were necessary ■would be ita'ken .from the shed on following evenings. The wool would be pressed down by feet and hands inside the packs until these were full, and could be sewn tip—making bales of wool which might- appear to have been badly pack ml, but which would bear no indication of: stolen origin when they reached legitimate buyers. By the time the sited was ready to cut out the shoepownor would be bitterly disappointed at the small number of bales of first, quality wool which he 'had for market. The stolen wool, under cover of night, would be removed from t'lie hiding-place ami rolled down to a road where a vehicle was waiting to take it on a long journey. The detectives travelled more than 1(100 miles during their inquiries, and one of the most remarkable hidingAuces found by thorn was among great bowlders in almost trackless country in the Aloonbi Ranges. Four men have been charged at country police stations!