SHEEP STEALING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20509, 29 August 1936, Page 8

SHEEP STEALING

OFFENCE PREVALENT TN BACK COUNTRY By Teiperauh —association WELLINGTON, August 28. The Hon. J. C. Cobbe (Nat., Oroua) suggested in the House to-day when the vote for the Police Department was being considered that it would be a good idea to make provision for women "police, especially in the cities. The Rev. A. H. Nordmeyer (Lab., Oamaru) asked the Minister to give his attention to information he had received to the effect that police raids in connection with after hours trading -in hotel'? were confined for the great part to hotels frequented by ordinary people, While those catering for well-to-do people were seldom affected. Mr W. J. Polson (Nat., Stratford) drew attention to the increasing prevalence of sheep stealing especially in the North Island. Sheep were being taken :in quantities, more particularly in back Country districts, and in some cases vigilance committees had been set up and rewards were being offered for the apprehension of the culprits. He suggested that something shopld be done in the direction controlling roads in the back country. This could be done through the stock and station agents who could be empowered to inspect stock being driven on the roads. The Hon. P. Fraser, in reply, said that with regard to sheep stealing he would be pleased for the Commissioner of Police to meet any body Mr Polson suggested and see if some arrangement could be come to in the matter. Dealing with the question of women police, Mr Fraser said it would be considered and if it proved that they would be useful the matter would be gone into.