THEFTS OF SHEEP.

Wairarapa Age, 13 August 1928, Page 5

THEFTS OF SHEEP.

MOBS THAT GROW BY THE WAY POVERTY BAY COMPLAINTS GISBORNE, August 12. “There is no use closing our eyes to the fact that considerable sheep stealing is going on in this district,” said the president of the Poverty Bay executive of the Farmers’ Union (Mr. S. Bowen) this afternoon, in. the course of a discussion of the prevalence of the offence in and the East Coast district. On the other hand, it was suggested that many losses were the result of carelessness. The discussion arose through receipt of the following letter from a station holder at Te Pora, Tokoma.ru Bay: 44 1 had a large mob of sheep stolen last autumn and did! not discover the loss for about a week. The endeavoured to trace them and told me they had many such cases in the district. At their suggestion I write to ask if the Union, can move in. the direction of having in made compulsory for mobs travelling further than, say, 10 miles, to *be paint branded, and some law passed as to a signed declaration of ownership and destination, to be carried by drovers. I leave details to more experienced men, but fhe police say legislation on these lines would be of great assistance to them.” The president gave instances of losses, stating that one farmer had lost four hundred two-tooth ewes last year. He quoted another case where Ke alleged a drover arrived at his destination with two hundred more sheep than, when he started. Other instances were cited and one member suggested the creation of a fund out of which to pay rewaids for convictions in cases of sheep stealing. The president said he did not want the impression to get out that ail drovers were dishonest, for many were strictly honest. Several members suggested that the losses were due to carelessness un the part of the owners. One member caused laughter by stating that he had driven sheep along roads and brought home more than he started/ with. After further discussion, a committee was appointed to collaborate with the police and communicate with the Dominion Executive on the subject.—(PA.)