NATIVE SHEEP-STEALERS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2529, 25 September 1888, Page 2

NATIVE SHEEP-STEALERS.

Messrs Taylor, of Cambridge, have a run of about 11,000 acres at Piako, extending from tho east side of the Maungakawa Range nearly to Morrinsville, upon which they keep a large number of cattle and sheep. For some months past they have noticed that the latter have been steadily decreasing ill number in a very unaccountable manner, and when last counted about 40 were missing. They were sorely puzzled to account for the deficiency, Vut had their eyes opened in an unexpected manner. They had been mustering cattle about a month ago, and having finished for the day went into the tent to have a cup of tea before journeying home. Hearing an unusual commotion outside they looked through the window and saw a couple of natives chasing some sheep, two of which they ran into a swamp. They, however, let one of them go, and were just proceeding to carry the other one olf when Messrs Taylor appeared upon the scene. The culprits denied having any felonious intent, but nevertheless offered their horses and saddles to have the matter hushed up. These, of course, Messrs Taylor declined, and having ascertained the names and place of residence of the sheep stealers, let them go, intending to proceed against them by law. Mr James Taylor, a few days after, went to the settlement near Morrinsville, where the youths —they were almost boys—live and saw their parents and got all the necessary evidence as to their proper names, etc., but he has resolved not to proceed against them unless the number of sheep still continue to decrease, in which case he will at once take proceedings against them. Tho youths are relatives of .Mere Parata, who lately had a lengthy law case in the Cambridge court, and although she won, she was, nevertheless, a substantial loser, and has a wholosomo dread of tho pakr-ha court. She will doubtless advise her relatives not to run a second ri-k of appearing in it.