ALLEGED SHEEP-STEALING.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 169, 22 March 1915, Page 3

ALLEGED SHEEP-STEALING.

INCRIMINATING CIRCUMSTANCES A MANGAWEKA- INCIDENT. The Maugaweka Settler says: — Last week a whisper camp to us that sheep-stealing was hiking place almost within a stone's throw of the Mingyweka post-office, but we carefully refrained from mentioning' the fact i' •■: fear of assisting' the culprit' in evading the arm of the law, but .as it is ?i.w public talk there can be no harm i.'i giving publicity to the affair. Fi'oin particulars supplied to us from a reliable source, it appears that Mr. John O'Day had occasion to go through the Scenic Reserve at the back of the town for his cows and was surprised to BnJ a sheep nicely dressed and Ining up. ready to be taken away; while close alongside he discovered tlie skin. etc.. buried. Ha at once made for Mr. Murpliey's residence, which was adjacent. nnd mentioned the matter. He then went and informed Mr. 0. Mclvinnoa who had sheep grazing near the locality and to whom he believed the sheep belonged. Mr. McKinnon, accompanied by a friend, proceeded to the spot, and although they stayed till midnight; there was no sign of any one turning up for the mutton, so they left and went home. The next morning Mr. McKinnon went bock nad found the carcase still there. He removed it. also the skin. Since then nothing further has been heard of the matter. It would be interesting to know if the police are moving in this matter as some curious rumours are in circulation. Mr. McKinnon is reported to have lost quite a number of sheep lately. Detective-Sergeant Siddells has nvrivd in Mangaweka, but whether lie is on business in connection with this i matter or something else Ave are unable to say. In any case, as nearly a fortnight has elapsed since the above took place the Police Department should shake things up a bit. It is not long ago since a complaint reached us that two sacks of grass-seed had been stolon from very near the same place. So far, nothing concerning this theft has come to light. It is not desirable thai these matters should pass unnoticed.