Across the vast spaces of the colony, livestock was frequently stolen by vagrants, those on the way to mines or diggings, or natives or even police with their own ex-convict connections. In the North East of Victoria, Stock Protection Leagues were established by stock owners. When there were stock thefts, the police found it convenient to frame the junior Kelly's rather than "find" the real culprits. Rewards were paid to police when arrests were made. Easy money was to be made. Charges that police perjured themselves to gain convictions were conveniently and unsurprisingly overturned by a Royal Commission into Victoria Police; the right appointee being placed in the role with the right given parameters, the outcome was unsurprising.