CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

Evening Star, Issue 16033, 9 February 1916, Page 8

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

Mr P. Livingstone (vice-president) occupied the chair at the meeting of the executive of the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals held yesterday afternoon. There was a good attendance of members. —Two Carts, One Driver.— The Town Clerk wrote, in reply to the society's letter drawing attention to breaches of the by-laws re one driver being in charge of two vehicles, stating that the council’s General Committee had instructed that the by-law be etnctly enforced, and that the committee would, whon the opportunity occurred, lecommend to the council an amendment by which a following cart would only be permitted when the rein was held by the driver on the first cart Mr Craig, the society’s inspector, said that the proposed amendment was what was needed, for even if the present by-law was strictly enforced it did not do away with the cruelty.—The secretary was instructed to write and ask the council when the proposed amendment would be made. —Dogs by Bail.— The Bailway Traffic Manager wrote in reply to a _ letter in which the society attention to the fact that dogs were sent in the dog boxes of trains from Dunedin to Christchurch without water beinosupplied for them to drink, and that in his opinion it was not necessary to provide water for the animals on that journey.—A letter from Mrs Porteous (a j member of the committee) was read, and ' Miss Porteous expressed the opinion that , the practice involved cruelty.—Mr Snow- i hail remarked that to say ifc was cruelty to send a dog on an eight hours' journey in a cool van without water was absurd. He was afraid sentiment was creeping m to too great an extent in this case, and the society would be in danger of being made a laughing-stock of. He knew a good deal about dogs, and was convinced tliat there was not the slightest cruelty involved.—Mr T. Elliot and Mr Sligo agreed with Mr Snowball, and it was resolved jMlss Porteous dissenting) that the society were of opinion that there was no cruelty in the practice, and to go no further in the matter. —.Southland Branch.— Mr W. F. Inder (Gore) wrote' stating that, in response to the request of the society, a meeting had been held of their local members, and it had been resolved thereat that the members would adhere to the Otago Society, and not transfer to the Southland branch.—lt was decided to write the Invercargill branch asking them to particulars of their financial position, so that the Otago Society consider the question of assisting them° —Financial.— The secretary reported that the bank book showed a credit balance of £lO5 8s 2d, which, with £1,987 2s Id in Drainage Board debentures, made the total credit balance of the society £2,092 10s 3d.