EFFORTS BY FARMERS TO COMBAT SHEEP AND CATTLE STEALING

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 March 1949, Page 3

EFFORTS BY FARMERS TO COMBAT SHEEP AND CATTLE STEALING

Farmers in the Wanganui, VVaiinarino, Waitctara, Rangitikei and Patea Counties have become so concerned about the incidence of Sheep Stealing that the old Wanganui Sheep Stealing Committee was disdamled at a meeting yesterday and the new Wanganui and District Sheep Stealing Pretion Committee, set up a fortnight ago, formally constituted. A small executive was elected to deal with urgent questions and all guarantors are to form the general committee. As a result of guarantees received from farmers, the committee is offering substantial rewards for information leading to the conviction of persons for cattle or sheep stealing. Three members of the old committee, formed in 1929-30, present at the meeting yesterday were the chairman, Mr. T. Currie (Brunswick), Mr. H. J. Cameron (Turakina Valley) and Mr. W. J. B. Tripe (Fordell). Mr. Currie was elected chairman x of the new committee and Mr. Tripe' treasurer. The secretary is Mr. F. H. Donaldson. A resolution was also carried authorising funds collected in 1930 to be handed over to the new organisation. A point emphasised at the meeting was the need lor setting up small vigilant committees in the various districts. Farmers were asked to report immediately any suspicious conduct. Only by detecting the culprits redhanded, it was stated, could evidence be obiained for a conviction. In 1929 sheep stealing became so bad. particularly in the Rangitikei district, said Mr.' Currie, that the old Wanganui Sheep Stealing Committee was formci. “From the day the first advertisements appeared in the newspapers, offering rewards for Information, the trouble ceased,’’ Mr. Currit added. When electing the new committee, representation should be spread over as wide an area as possible, said Mr. H. J. Cameron. The wider the net, the better the prospects of success. In the old days vigilant committeewatched the roads at night. They were armed and their organisation was effective. Though nobody was caught, there was no further trouble at that time. “The culprits must be caught redhanded and if we have a live committee spread over a wide area wi» will have a better chance of catching someone,’’ Mr. Cameron added. Mr. Tripe suggested that as near as possible, the executive should consist of a representative from each county, with other members so as to spread representation over large areas. The Rangitikei County for example, covered a particularly big district. Mr. H. J. Cameron asked if the committee could seek the co-operation of auctioneers at stock sales, the idea being that auctioneers ask strangers entering stock for their bona tides. Mr. Tripe said that this might not be practicable, but the committee could ask the Meat and Wool Section of Federated Farmers to go into Jhe question. The committee is offering to the first person to supply information leading to the conviction of a person for sheep stealing a reward of £5 a head for sheep and cattle up to 20 head, and £5OO for any number over that. The money has been guaranteed by farmers In the Waverley, Wanganui, Rangitikei and Waimarino districts. The executive elected yesterday (with power to add) consists of Messi s H. J. Cameron (Turakina Valley), W. P. Matthews (Waverley), H. J. Donnelly (Waimarino), G. Palmer (Waltotara), A. N. McLeod (Wanganui County), W. Fulcher (Fern Flats), and K. C. Humphrey (Waverley). The chairman (Mr. Currie) and the treasurer (Mr. Tripe) will also act on the committee.