PROTECTION OF ANIMALS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 104, 29 October 1931, Page 5

PROTECTION OF ANIMALS

ANNUAL MEETING OF S.P.CA.

The annual meeting of the Wellington Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held yesterday afternoon. There was a good attendance of members, over whom Mr. G. Mitchell presided.

The annual report stated that the inspector, Captain J. Henry, had again carried out his duties efficiently and valuable work had been done by him Jn cases in which .animals had been starved. Two offenders in the Wairarapa district were fined. These proceedings were a lesson to those under-feeding stock, and it was believed that a considerable improvement had taken place in some districts as a result. Mr. W. t>. Steel-Mait-land had been appointed country inspector for three months, and had done good work in the Taranaki, Wanganui, Mana-•n-atu, and Wairarapa districts., Captain Henry had visited the Hawkcs Bay district after the earthquake, and had arranged for the care and feeding of animals. The society had made representations to the Wellington City Council over matters affecting the care of birds and animals at the Zoo, and the puma and the eagles had been given better accommodation. Considerable attention had been paid to the city abattoirs, and the saleyards at Johnsonville. Determined efforts were being made to induce the Government to introduce the Bill to prohibit the shooting ■of live pigeons, and the coursing of hares. During the year it had been necessary to utilise a portion of the accumulated funds of the society to carry on the work. _ IS moving the adoption of the anfiual report and balance-sheet, Mr. Mitchell said that the society had accepted responsibilities outside its own district, and a less amount had been given by the public. However, the-society could congratulate itself on the work it had accomplished. There were signs that the lack of co-operation that had been evident among the various societies in New Zealand was disappearing, and wouldin time be replaced by complete co-operation. The earthquake troubles at Hawkes Bay should have been handled by a national body, as regards the care of animals. 'Officers were elected as follows:—Patron, His Excellency Lord Bledisloe; vicepresidents, Messrs. William Watson, F. Meadowcroft, and T. C. A. Hislop; committee, Mesdames C. Christie, A. E. Hunt, M. Kenny, Miss B. George, and Messrs. E. F. Carvosso, P. F. Hazeldon, J. H. Howell, F. W. Rowley, and J. B. Salt; secretary and treasurer, Mr. S. B. Clarke; hon. auditor, Mr. C. D. Morpeth; hon. solicitors, Messrs. Barker and O'Donovan, Mazengarb, Hay, and M'Alister, Luke, Gunningham, and Clere, Gray and Sladden, and Leicester, Joijrett, and Eainey.