PREVENTION OF CRUELTY

Evening Star, Issue 22572, 13 February 1937, Page 11

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY

SOCIETY’S ANNUAL MEETING The fifty-fifth annual meeting of the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held in the board room of the secretary (Mr K. S. Wilson) yeterday. The Hon.-W. Downio Stewart (president) was in the chair. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, the Chairman expressed! his gratification that the membership had increased rather more than was required to counterbalance those who had ceased to be members. ‘The more members there were the more useful work could be carried out. He hoped that with the coming of better times more people would) join the society and help with subscriptions and benefactions. Referring to the work of the society, the speaker said that the inspector had a wide field to cover, but was helped to a considerable extent by country members. The two objectives aimed at by the society were the prevention of cruelty and the education of public opinion against it. They were helped by many private citizens who advised the society of any cases o.f cruelty, but a number of people did not wish to give evidence if a prosecution followed. The existence of the society alone served as a deterrent, but the publicity of a prosecution had good effect. The educational side of the society’s work, was regarded by the committee as being most important. It was very gratifying to see so, much interest was being taken in the schools. There was no limit to the work which could) be done in that respect. Another valuable channel was the radio. Mr Crosby Morris seconded the motion, and pointed out that there had been comparatively few cases which the inspector had to investigate during the year.. They could take credit for the decrease from 53 last year to 41 this year; it was not owing to any laxity on the part of the. inspector that the numbers had decreased. The finances of the society were not so healthy as he would like, and it had little more than held its own. There was not sufficient to carry out the work they would! like to. The report and) balance sheet were adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. The election of office-bearers resulted: —President, the Hou. W. Downio Stewart; vice-presidents— Messrs Crosby Morris, E. C. Reynolds, and J. C. Willis; committee —the mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox), Messrs G. L. Nelson, Thos. Elliott (Tarras), J. R. Diokison, J.P., S. P. Leith, Duncan M'Lennan, J.P. (Heriot), W. Cooper, J. Gordon (Mosgiel), A. Lawrenson, R. Fountain, G. Matheson, D. C. Cameron, J. M. Fraser, J. Henderson, R. T. Kirk (Mosgiel) ; secretary, Mr E. S. Wilson; honorary treasurer, Mr E. C. Reynolds; veterinary surgeons, Messrs C. V. Dayas (Dunedin) and J. T. Lewis (Balolutha); auditors, Messrs W. Brown and C 0..; honorary solicitors—Dunedin, Messrs Brugh, Calvert, and Barrowdough, W. L. Moore, Ramsay and Haggitt, Solomon, Gascoigne, Solomon and l Sinclair, A. G. Neill, A. C. Stephens, E. A. Duncan, Adams Bros., and B. 8. Irwin); country—Messrs R. R. ’ Grigor (Balclutha), J. A. Walter (Balclutha), R. C. Mo,ore (Lawrence), K. G. Roy (Port Chalmers), Bodkin and Sunderland (Alexandra). C. EL M‘Kay (Queenstown), J, H. Main (Oamaru), Hjorring, Tait, and Farrell (Oamaru), Arkle and Rolfe (Palmerston), R. M. Rutherford (Milton), Fredrick and Parcel! (Cromwell), G. H. Thomson (Milton). I. J. Fraser (Ranfurly), W. A. Harlow (Clyde), W. B. Naylor (Tapanui), L. J. 0. Arthur (Heriot). PROTECTING THE SEAL. It was resolved that notices be erected at Otokau, Portohello, and Anderson’s Bay warning persons against molesting the seal. THANKS.

A vote of thanks to the solicitors, veterinary surgeons, and those who had provided) free transport for the inspector during the year was carried by acclamation.