TO "GET HIS MAN”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 36, 13 February 1939, Page 9

TO "GET HIS MAN”

THIEF TRACKED 2000 MILES JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 15. The remarkable endurance ajid perseverance of a native policeman in tracking a cattle thief for 2000 miles over a period of two and a-half months has earned for him the special commendation of the Commissioner of Police and a cash reward of £2 from I the Minister of Justice. The policeman is native detective- i sergeant W. Nell, stationed in the Transkei division, who has been commended for “extraordinary initiative, zeal and ability” in the successful investigation of a stock theft case involving nine head of cattle. During his investigations he travelled through various parts of the Free State and Basutoland, covcrin 1800 miles on horseback and 200 miles : on foot. He suffered great hardships j through adverse weather conditions, and was severely handicapped by steep i and rugged mountains, heavy snow and flooded rivers. Two and a-half months after taking over the case, however, he succeeded in tracing eight of the stolen cattle and in arresting the accused. The thief was convicted and son- . fenced to a year's imprisonment, and t was ordered to pay £5 compensation ; for the animal not recovered.