USAGE OF ANIMALS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1318, 22 December 1911, Page 3

USAGE OF ANIMALS.

THE S.P.C.A. MEETS, REVIEW Of THE YEAR 1910-11. The annual meeting of the Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held on Wednesday. Mr. J. S. Jameson (president) was in the chair,, and there were about twelve members present. Following was tho annual report presented :—. . "The total number of cases dealt with during the period under review was 112 (being un increase nf 7a. as , compared with the previous year), made up as ■follows:—Working lame horses, 7!);_ working horse* with sore backs mut sbouiuers, 15; old and decrepit horses destroyed. i'\; overloading and ili-treatmont of horses, 32; leaving horses in exposed Mtuiitions during inclement. weather with: insufficient supply of feed, til; starving ami illtreatment, of cattle, 1"; overcrowding poultry, in transit and neglecting to provide food for same..2s; dogs in a diseased and starving condition wandering about the city, 2(1; sundry cases investigated by the inspector and warnings issued by him, CO: total, 112. "Court proceedings were taken in 27 eases, in only two of which the society failed to secure convictions. Hie fines imposed with costs amounted to ,t'SB 25., an increase of .£lO 15s. us compared with tho ' previous year. There were other cases where the offenders escaped punishment owing to the society being unable to take action through the unwillingness of tho witnesses to appear in Court and give evidence. The inspector has received much valuable assistance from the police, tho latter baviiig taken several cases into Court, in all of which they succeeded in securing convictions. The branches at Palmerston North and Mastciion are. both'doing good work, and a. new branch has been opened at Feilding during the year. "The large .number of cases of cruelty dealt with during the year shows that the society has been earnestly endeavouring to carry out. the objects for which it was established, the protection of dumb animals, though its usefulness could bo greatly extended were it accorded more generous financial support by the public. Opportunities are constantly arising where funds, if they were available, could be expended for the purpose of extending the work of the society, and for this the committee begs donations, annual subscriptions, and legacies. It is important to remember that the society receives no Government grant, end takes no share of the penalties inflicted as a result of its prosecutions, therefore it is solely dependent; on the generosity of the public. "Leaflets bearing upon the treatment of horses . have been distributed by tho society's inspector amongst owners and drivers, which it is hoped may be helpful in securing more • humane treatment of these, patient and- useful animals, whose lives are given to tho service of man.. .. • . "The duties of collector havo been undertaken by Miss Hallamore, who is carrying.on the work very satisfactorily. The committee has again to express its sense of the valuable service rendered to the society by (he inspector, Mr. Seed, whose assiduity continues without weariness and his vigilance without relaxation. The .thanks of the society aro duo to the Railway Department and the City Council for free passes to the inspector on the railways and trams, the police, the honorary solicitors and auditor, and the representatives of the press. "The'treasurer's statement of accounts shows the receipts, including balance of .£53 Is. brought forward from last ynr, to have been XJSB lGs., and the expenditure- ,£l7.'! '55.. 7(1., leaving 'a balance '.'in' hand of J; 15 10s. 5d." The president, moving tho adoption of the report, remarked that tho number of cases dealt with during the year constituted a record. . Mr. E. H. Webb seconded the motion. Mr. J. G. W. Aitken pointed out. that during the year the expenditure had been greater than the receipts, and suggested that tho attention of the public might

well ta drawn lo the fact in order that the financial position of the society might be improved. The. election of officers resulted as follows:— Patron, His Exwllencv Lord Jslinslon; pren'tlcnt-. Mr. K. 11. Webb: vicepresident.-, Sir Ktibert Stout, his Worship the Mayor (Mr. T. M. W'ill'ortll, Mrs. A. E. Eernol, .Messrs. .1. (.!. \V. Ail ken, .1. llott, \V. Watson, and J. S. Jameson. Committee-Misses Butts and Liidwig, Jlpsdntiips C. Christie, Jr. A. Williams JL A. Chittenden, T. 1). Tendnll d Wakeliu, Kcvs. ]). C. Hates and •I. I>. Olasson, O. Jirown, 11. Cook, ,1. J[. llichardson, (I. J. :i>a 8 0, and ,t. ir. 0. Kowlev; honorary solicitors, Messrs. A. 1?. Atkinson, A. L. Jlerdman, 1!. 11. Webb, Williams and Meredith, and T. Young; auditor, Mr. C. J). Morpeth.