HUMANE WORK

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 90, 13 October 1920, Page 8

HUMANE WORK

PREVENTION OP CRUELTY TO

ANIMALS

Members of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals held their annual meeting yesterday afternoon. Mr. F. Meadowcroft presided. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report (already published), saidi that'now that there had been a reversion to a mow* normal condition of life, ha hoped that reformative measures would be introduced, making further provision for the protection of animals. They must realise, as they hadl newer done before, the important part that animals played in their lives, particularly, during the war. They should recognise-. those animals as heroes, and see to it that this country wai more fit for them to live in in the future. It was a matter of considerable satisfaction to him, as president, and to his colleagues on the conimittes, that, in spite of the many difficulties caused by the war, and <the urgent need of funds to carry on the good work of ministry to the sick and wounded soldiers, the labours of the society had continued successfully during the year) Th^y owed great thanks, to the member* a.nd supporters, who by their financial aid had provided the s-ociety with money to defray the cost of continuing the. work. Tire educational work of the society was a most important one, and during the past year considerable attention had been paid to it. They had been able to start junior leagues of the S.P.C.A. in a good many schools in. Wellington and district, and their aim. was to inculcate into the minds of the young that cruelty was contemptible and degrading ; that kindness was the greatest promoter of happiness, and that justice, mercy, and compassion were the noblest of till virtues.

In closing, Mr. Meadowcroft made mention of thie munificent gift made to the Wellington Society by an interested member in Waveriey, the late Mr. Fleming. He (Mr. Fleming) had from time to time read of the work the society was doing in Wellington, and in his will be« queath*ed a valuable farm to the society, ( the i'neome from which would he used for the extension of the work. The dommittee felt deeply grateful for this -valuable help. Mr. Meadowcroft concluded by making, an urgent appeal for funds, i The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

Officers for the ensuing 'year were elected as follow :—Patron, His Excellency the Governor-General; president, Mr. F. Meadowcroft; vice-presidents, the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), Hon. J. G W. Aitkeu, and Messrs. W. Watson, R-, H. Webb, and M. J. Kilgour; committee, Mesdames A. E. Kernot, C. H. Seville, C. Christie, Miss Richardson, the Rev. J. R. Glassou, Messrs. A. Forrest, C. E. Galway'W. Cole, and R. F Carvosso;.honorary solicitors, Messrs. A.- R. Atkinson, Mazengarb, Hay, and M'Alister, Webb and Richmond, Luke and Kennedy, T. Young, and Barker and O'Donovan; auditor, Mi. C. D. Morpeth.

At the conclusion of the annual meeting, the fortnightly committee meeting was held, Mr. F. Meadowcroft presiding. The secretary reported that he had, received some essays from the Education Board, for the essay competition. The appointment of Miss A. Wignall as collector for this society, vice Mrs. Marmont resigned, was approved. The inspector's report dealt with several cases of cruelty. Subscriptions received amounted to £9 6s.