CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

Evening Star, Issue 23496, 9 February 1940, Page 12

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

SOCIETY'S SUCCESSFUL YEAR HON. W. DOWNIE STEWART'S ADDRESS “ I sometimes wonder, in times like these, when the. world is at war both in the East and in the West, whether people may think cruelty to animals of minor importance by comparison with the much greater cruelty _ that human beings are suffering,” said the Hon. W.'Downie Stewart, who presided! at the annual meeting of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, held yesterday afternoon. “It may be that senses are dulled somewhat,” ho continued, “ but I think that the question is still' treated as important, by most people. Certainly the number of cases which have been investigated by our agent has been • greater than in other years, but that does not necessarily mean that there is more cruelty going on. It may,. indeed!, mean that the public conscience is more acute, and! that cases are reported more frequently.” Speaking to the adoption of the annual report, Mr Stewart pointed out that the record of the work accomplished - during the year by the society afforded good reason for its existence and continuation. If a similar increase in membership could be relied on every year, the society would be on a very good footing. There was also cause for gratification in the increase of the Funds of the society, mainly as a beneficiary from a number of wills. Without resort to these funds,, the society could not live within its income. It was not that the society _ wanted to hoard funds, but the building up of a nest-egg would carry it over difficult periods in the future. Ho suggested an effort to secure a larger number of members. ' • So far as bequests were concerned, it often happened, that solicitors were asked advice by clients as to the distribution _of their money, and if the legal profession couldl bear ill mind the beneficent work of; the society it, would be a great help. In the 58 years it had been in .existence, the . society had done splendid work, but much remained to be done. It was; difficult to understand the mentality, of people who were cruel to_ animals, but such people still existed. The educational work of the society and the growth of public opinion .would do much in the future. He congratulated the committee, which had done so very much, and wished the society as a whole continued good fortune.. Seconding the adoption of the report, Mr E. C. Reynolds expressed the gratitude of the society to those,people who bad given their assistance by taking the inspector ,to places away from the railroad. The Government had also shown appreciation ,by providing a free railroad pass. A larger membership would bo of assistance to’the society, not only by reason of the increase from subscriptions, but also because, by having active members all oyer tlio country, more eases of cruelty would be notified. One did not have to be a member to notify the society of such cases, but the member felt it < his bounden duty to do so. On behalf of the city, Mr D. C. Cameron, deputy-mayor, tendered' his congratulations to the society. As a member of the Education Board, he spoke highly of the educational value of the work done by Miss Anderson’s visits, to the schools. Miss Anderson thanked the society for the opportunity to do the very interesting work on which she was engaged. She had met with much success and much encouragement. She spoke briefly of her work, and demonstrated the interest taken by the children with a few verbal illustrations. OFFICE-BEARERS. The election of office-bearers resulted ; President, Hon. W. Downie Stewart; vice-presidents—Messrs Crosby Morris, E, C. Reynold, and J. C. Willis; committee—Messrs A. H. Allen (mayor), T. Elliott, J. R. Dickison, S. P. Leith, D. M‘Lennan, W. Cooper, A. Lawrenson, R. Fountain, G. Matheson, D. C. Cameron, M. C. Henderson, R. D. Stewart, J. -Henderson, R. T. Kirk; bon.-trea-surer. Mr E. C. Reynolds; secretary. Mr E. S. Wilson; hon. veterinary surgeons—Messrs C. V. Dayus, G. McDonald ; hon. solicitors—Messrs R. R. Grigor and J. T. Walter (Balclutha), R. C. Moore (Lawrence), Bodkin and Sunderland (Alexandra), G. , M'Kay (Queenstown), Arkle and Rolfe (Palmerston) , Boderick and Parcell (Cromwell).,. R. M.. Rutherford and G. H. Thomson (Milton), J. Fraser (Ranfurly), W.’ : A. Harlow'(Clyde), W. B. Naylor (Tapanui), L. J. C. Arthur, (Heriot), Brugh, Calvert and Barrow--dough,' W. L. Moore, Ramsay and Haggitt, Solomon. Gascoigne, Solomon and Sinclair, A. G. Neill, A. G. Stephens,E. A. Duncan, r \dams Bros., B. S. Irwin (Dunedin); auditors, Messrs J. S: M‘lnnes and Sons.-