STEADY PROGRESS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21284, 2 October 1934, Page 6

STEADY PROGRESS

PREVENTING CRUELTY TO ANIMALS SOCIETY REVIEWS YEAR The fifty-first annual meeting of the Canterbury Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was B"eld in the Navy League Hall last evening, Mr A. W. MacGillivray presiding. The annual report stated: During the period for the 12 months ended August 21 the work has gone on steadily and progress has been made in both branches. The work of the inspector covers a wide range of duties, and the inspector is to be commended for the highly efficient manner in which it is conducted. Periodical visits have been made to all country districts within the society's boundaries, and the inspector reports that he has found stock generally well looked after and in fairly good condition. In some parts, notably Banks Peninsula, many sheep perished through excessive rainfall. A considerable amount of the inspector's time has again been taken up attending to animals injured by traffic and left on the streets —the total for the year being 81, an increase of 14 on the previous year's figures, which in turn were 21 in excess of the preceding year. The number of cautions administered shows a decrease of 105, the total being 330, compared with 435 in the previous year. Fourteen cases were brought before the courts, 13 convictions being recorded.

Help and Advice The committee would here emphasise that in cases where cruelty is caused through ignorance, or is not deliberate or intentional, the society does not prosecute. Every effort is made to advise and help owners •of animals in caring .humanely and intelligently for their charges. Stray . animals admitted to the Receiving Home during the year numbered 59. In addition, 64 animals were Treated for various complaints, whilst 269 animals were humanely destroyed by the inspector. Humane Education Gratifying progress is seen in the junior branch of the society's work during the period. The scope of the work continues to expand and the membership shows a steady increase. The quarterly magazine, "Junior Leaguers' Journal," has proved extremely popular. The society's stalls at the Metropolitan Agricultural and Pastoral Show at Addington and at the Winter Show were again well patronised.- Much credit is due to Mrs Millington and Miss Millington for the success of these stalls, which fulfil the good object of bringing the society's work more prominently before the public.

Increased Subscriptions The committee is pleased to report that the subscriptions received show a small increase on the previous year's figures. It is hoped that the coming year will bring a still greater increase. The continued expansion of our work calls for additional income, and your committee appeals to all animal lovers to become subscribers, and in this practical way assist the society in furthering its work. The committee gratefully acknow- j ledges the advice during the year of ; a bequest of £25 from Miss Elizabeth Slater. The sum of .£lO has already been received, and is included in the financial statement. Expenditure during the year ex- ; ceeded income by the sum of £4.°. i-s I sd. j Junior League The report of the organiser of the j Junior League (Mrs A. L. Millmgton) j This year the work has extended i its boundaries. In December, 1933, the J Marlborough district asked that the j organiser be allowed to visit thenschools. Lectures were given at Mar - borough College and in al fhcK,.s down to Ward. In April this >ear, the Buller Society for the Prevention. of Cruelty to Animals extended an invitation to tne organiser to speait in their schools in that district, faxteen schools were visited the Buller society paying all expenses. The Ka - koura, Hawarden, and Waiau schools were also visited.

Winter Show Stall The stall at the Winter Show was an effort to bring before the children the natural beauty of New Zealand bush and plant foliage. Two specimens of mounted bush -foliage wen. rent from the Tiroroa and Millerton schools on the West Coast, and Mr Mcpherson kindly helped with native foliage from the botanic Gardens. Special thanks are due to Mis Kogei Gould Mr R. Wallwork and Mr John Oakley, who executed the pottc designs of bush scenery for the :,Ull. The work of the junior league hat been retarded by lack, ot transport. The work has grown to such an extent that it is practically impossible to carry on without some help. The chairman moved the adoption of the report. Mr H F. Herbert, in seconding the motion, spoke of the sound position ol the society, and its hopes for the future He paid tributes to the work ot the junior league and the society s inspector. Officers Elected The following officers were elected:— Patrons, their Excellencies, Lord and Lady Bledisloe; committee, Mrs E. Poulton, Miss F. Jones, Mrs S. P. Dalton, Messrs H. P. Bridge, C. G McKellar T. Gee. JfO. Jameson, A. W. MacGi'llivrsy, R. Wilson, F. A. Biggs, and Mr H. F. Herbert: auditor, Mr C K. Sains; honorary inspectors, Messrs J. R. D Johns, H. Mcintosh, and H. C. Smith.