SHEEP STEALING

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2306, 4 March 1930, Page 2

SHEEP STEALING

ALLEGED PREVALENCE.

PREVENTION AIEASURES,

At the monthly sitting of the Farmers' Union on Friday a circular letter was received from the Provincial Union audit the unauthorised removal of stock, it being pointed out that at present there is ho legislation preventing the removal of sheep by motor lorries at night. Clause 59 of the .Stock Act reads:— “Every person who drives or removes any stock from any land not in his own occupation without the consent of the occupier of such land is liable to a fine not exceeding £IOO or imprisonment for a period up to 12 months,” and seems to prescribe the penalty for sheep stealing by motor lorry and other vehicles, in addition to stealing by droving.

The Dominion office proposed to have legislation introduced making driving of stock illegal except under permit between 6 p.m. and 0 a.m., from Alarch 31 to September 1, and between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. during the rest of the year, with certain necessary exceptions.

Opinions were expressed that the proposed action was highly desirable in view of stealing being prevalent throughout the Dominion. There had been several cases of considerable magnitude of late in Hawke’s Bay and in the South Island. The Waikato was not immune, either. - It was decided that the matter be tlie subject of a remit to the Provincial Conference.