CATTLE-STEAL,ING.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1921, Page 5

CATTLE-STEAL,ING.

GISBORNE DROVER’S ADMISSION. STOCK DRIVEN 220 MILES. One of the most sensational cattlestealing cases -that has occurred in the Hawke’s Bay district for many years was terminated last week at the Stortford Lodge. saleyards by the arrest by Detective-Sergeant Butler, of Napitr, of Thomas Wentworth Martin, a drover, of Gisborne, on a charge of stealing 84 head of cattle. In a statement to the police, admitting ‘having stolen the bullocks, Martin stated’ that he first stole 30 head of bullocks from Hunanui station, near Te Karaka, about 20 miles north of Gisborne on February 25 last. He drove these towards the coast and from Pakarae station, about twenty miles north of Gisborne, he relieved the owners of another 36 head. With the aid of two horses and four or five dogs he commenced his long drive towards Wairoa and Napier with the 66 head. At Parakanapa, about twenty miles from Tiniroto a further eighteen head were stolen from Messrs. Sisteraon and Mcßae’s Rea station. Martin, throughout his drive of about 220 miles, occupying about four weeks, had only his dogs to help him manage his stock. When he arrived at Stortford Lodge he entered them for the sale.

Questioned by Detective-Sergeant Butler as to how he came into possession of the beasts, Martin gave divers accounts, but finally he made a statement admitting stealing them from the stations named.

The bullocks, valued at about £BOO, bore evidence of a very hard drive. They were very fine beasts, and were apparently primer when they were stolen.