PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14159, 27 September 1911, Page 12

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

ANNUAL MEETING OF CANTERBURY SOCIETY.

Tho annual meeting of the Canterbury Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held in the City Council Chambers last night, the Mayor (.Mr J. J. Dougall; presiding over a largo attendance. Several apologies were read. Mr M. Murphy, in hu> letter., reierred to the necessity for the substitution of a more modern method oi slaughtering at the municipal abattoirs, and expressed the opiniou, in connection with tne proposed zoo &*. Wainoni, that the day was past tor such exhibitions. Tho secretary (Mr W. H. Zouch; read the annual report, which stated that the past year was marked ly steady work and progress, and public interest in the activities ot the Society was increasing. The year showed a larger average number of convictions and prosecutions than during any previous period of the Society's existence. A serious shortage of feed was experienced in Canterbury during July and. August especially, and all kinds of stock suffered severo privations and heavy mortality resulted, it the many complaints received by the Society could be relied on. The generosity of the subscribing members, particularly tho lady-president, Mrs A. Q. Townend, was recorded. For breaches oi tho Police Offences Act there were Vi prosecutions; eight or those resulted in convictions, tho average penalty being £2 15s. The halanoe to the credit of tho Society was £50 16s lOd. The results of the "Shilling Fund" initiated by the Misses Tabart, totalled £125 lis od, and this sum was to bo devoted to the establishment of a homo of rest for horses -nd general hospital for animals, a site for which was under offer to the Society. During tho year 278 cautions, as compared with 193 the previoua year, wero given. Animals humanely destroyed totalled 84, comprising 43 horses, 4 cattle, 17 sheep, and 15 dogs. The Chairman moved the adoption of tho report and balance-sheet, and said that the Society was to be congratulated on its position. The report showed undoubtedly a growing humanitarian feeling among people generally, but that there was a great deal of work for the Society to do. A more atrocious form of cruelty than tho wounding of wild animals by huntsmen was the killing of pigeons and coursing. (Applause.) He urged that if legislation dealing with tho Socioty's wxirk was passed power should be given magistrates to order the commensurate payment of expert witnesses giving testimony on benalf of tho Society. He hoped the Society's efforts to establish a branch on tho West Coast would be successful, as from personal experience bo believed there was need of it Mr J. Caughlay seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Addresses dealing with the work and objects of the Society were given by Messrs "Washer, Caughlev, and J. H. Parker.

Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows:—Patrons, Lord and Lady Islington; lady-president, Mrs A. Q. Townend; vice-presidents, Bishop Julius, Bishop Grimes, Hon. Sir Charles Bowen, Hon. E. C. J. Stevens, tho Mayor of Christchurch, Messrs T H *Davey, M.P.. L. M. Isitt, M.P., HG. Ell, M.P., R. Heaton Rhodes, M.P., G. W. Russell, M.P., Geo. Laurenson, M.P., and W. G. Stead; committee, Mesdamos A. B. Turner, and Eastwood. Misses Froeman, 8.A., Morrow, A. Tabart, M. Tabart, Messrs J. H. Parker H. P. Bridge. T. C. Field, D. Js. 'McLaren, R. W. Eastwood, W. J. Trostrum, J. C. Lord. J. Suiller, J. Lous;h, J. Caughley, Wytes, and Dr. C. J. Russell; hon. , solicitors, Messrs Duncan, Cotterill, and Stringer CCbristchurcJi), Messrs Helmore. ai-d Van Asch (Rangiora and Oxford). Mr Papprill (Kaiapoi), Mr Raymond (Timarii «Jid South Canterbury), and Mr C W. Purnell (Ashburton and terbury); hon. veterinary surgeon, Mr T. C. Lilico, M.R.C.V.S.; hon. treasurer• Mr W. J. Trustrum; hon. auditor. Mr H. W. Clieesman: secretary and inspector, Mr W. H. Zouch: collector, Mrs E. Cross.