S.P.C.A.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19690, 6 August 1929, Page 5

S.P.C.A.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The committee of the Canterbury Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals met yesterday afternoon, Mr H. P. Bridge in the chair. The Rev. H. Northeote referred to the international conference of animal welfare societies, held at Vienna, and suggested that an effort should be made to secure a report of the proceedings. According to a resume in the "Spectator 1 ' by the Duchess of Hamilton and Brandon, the conference had been of a very he.piul character. ■ The secretary was asked to obtain a report. The deputations to the Worics and Finance Committees of the City Council were reported s on by the secretary (Mr G. T. Bullock)* | who said that the Society'a request for a ( subsidy and for assistance in respect of in- j jured animals in streets had been favourably dealt with by the City Council. It was decided to ask the City Council to set apart a day for a street collection for the Society's funds. The Minister for Agriculture (Hon. Mr Forbes), in reply to the Society's iett " urging that legislation should be introduced providing for the compulsory detorn.ng o cattle, wrote: "A number of representations have been made to me with respect to this matter, and X have given it a g°° d deal consideration. While I cannot make any pro mise in regard to legislation this sessi °."; as X do not know yet what legislation t Government will be in a position to ° rin f down, if anything can be done in regard to a dehorning Bill, it shall be done. It was decided to thank the Minister. I The Minister for Education (Hon- ** ■ Atmore) wrote acknowledging the Society a letter calling attention to a sentence »PP e "_ mg in the new syllabus of instruction tor primary schools dealing with the question 01

kindness to animals. The Minister WTOte. "It is agreed that it ia of great importance that children should be trained to treat dumb animals with kindness, and teaehers are enjoined to see that this is done. The word ing of the syllabus was very carefully considered, and the warning against over-senti-mentality was inserted for a definite purpose. It is thought that, among other things, the practice of fondling domestic pets is, from many points of view, undesirable, and children might well be warned against it. The suggested alteration is not acceptable since the desired end is accomplished by training children in acts of kindness, thus guarding against callousness." Mr Northeote said that there was no fear of encouraging over-sentimentality. The chairman thought that the matter of too much fondling of cats and dogs could well be left to parents. It was decided to write to the Auckland S.P.C.A. (which originally brought ap the 1 subject) offering to join in any concerted action decided on. The inspector's report set out that three cautions had been given in respect of j working old and decrepit horses; two workj ing lame horses in harness; two working 1 in harness without shoes; two omitting to supply proper shelter and food for six horses; one alleged underfeeding aDd overcrowding of pigs while being ioaded on motor lorry; three dogs continually on chain without proper exercise; two alleged kicking of dogs; one om ttin«j to supply clean b. tiding and sufficient food to four grey rabbits; and one housing magpie in too small a cage. He brought under the notice of the committee the method by which bulls are brought through the City to Tattersall's saleyards. usually during the month of November In many cases, he said, the animals were sub jected to unnecessary rough handling, being tethered behind veh'cle* and polled along. He suggested that in future the annual bull sale* be held either at Addington saleyards or the A. and P. Association grounds. Addington. Regarding the last clause in the report, the inspector (Mr D. J. White) suggested that the Society should get in touch with the secretary of the A. and P. Association. Owing to the growth of traffic, he thought it desirable that there should be a by-law en the subject.

The inspector wu i»W to ccnfer with Mr M K. Lyon* and the auctioneers oa Um ■abject, and report to next "J* 1 " 1 *- . . Mr Northeote brought up the subject ol ft junior branch of the Society. Mr* Connal. u» j, 0, Jameson, *nd the iwwwry appointed to go into the question of ft «utThe chairman brought up the question of alleged cruelty inflicted by the equipment used in deep sea fishing, described by a deep see fisher as "barbarous and un sportsman like. He asked members to think over the matter with a view to a full discussion at the next meeting. . . It was decided to revert to evening meetings now that the winter is ever.