CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24, 30 January 1911, Page 8

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

SOCIETY'S ANNUAL REPORT. The seventeenth annual report of tho Wellington Society for the Prevention of Gruelty to Animals, which will bo presented to the annual meeting to-morrow afternoon, states that the total number of cases dealt with during the period under review was 337, made-up as follows ; Crueky to, horses 253, cruelty to cattle 15, overcrowding poultry 18, sundry cases 51. Of these, 63 hoj'ses were destroyed as they were quite unfit for work. The inspector also destroyed 8 dogs and 13 cats. Court proceedings w<sre taken in 21 cases, in all of which the society secured convictions, the fines imposed, and costs amounting to £77 7s, an increase of £35 on tbe previous year. Unfortunately, many offenders escape prosecution, and some gross case® of cruelty go unpunished, because the witnesses are unwilling to appear in court and give evidence. Occasionally cases come under the inspector's notice iv which a considerable amount of pain is inflicted upon, animals through unskilled treatment by amateurs, who are not qualified to attend to animals' ailments or operate on them. During the year, the inspector has visited the following places :—JohnEonville, Ngaio, Porirua, Plimmerion, Petone, Upper and Lower Hutt, Masterton, and Palmerston North. At Masterton and Palmerston useful work is being done by the societies established iv those places. It is mentioned iv ths report that a conference of delegates from kindred societies was held, and legislation was promised. Unfortunately, .owing to pressure of other business, the BUI has not been introduced this session, but it is hoped to get it through next year. Various matters pertaining to the welfare of animals were discussed and freely ventilated, and no doubt the different societies will receive benefit from the interchange of ideas, and good will result to the cause they all have at heart. It is proposed to hold another conference at Palmerston North about August next year. The revenue for the year, including the balance from the previous year, was £240 15s sd, and the expenditure £187 14s sd, leaving a credit balance of £53 Is. But for two special donations amounting to £55 ss, the revenue would have been insufficient to meet the expenditure. The society's sphere oi neefulness could be greatly extended if more funds were available, there being really more work in the city and suburbs than' can be successfully coped with by one inspector. The committee desires to place on re--cord its hearty appreciation of the inspector's untiring energy and zeal in the discharge of his, at times, unpleasant duties. The thanks of the society are also due to the Government and City Co-imcil for free passes on the railways and trams; to Mr. W. C. Quinnell, M.R.C.V.S., for his advice and services, the Harbour Board for assistance h* the prevention of overloading ; the police for their assistance; the hon. audi-' tor, Mr. C. D. Mocpeth ; the Chamber of Commerce, for the use wi its rooms,, and to the representatives of the -press.