KITTEN-THROWING INCIDENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 10 April 1934, Page 7

KITTEN-THROWING INCIDENT

UNIVERSITY STUDENT’S ACTION

STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN Mr J. G. D. Ward, chairman of the New Zealand University Tournament Committee, has made the following statement about the action of the university student who threw a kitten on to the stage at the boxing meeting, at the Choral Hall, rluring the Easter tournament :

“As so many of the societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals have been interesting themselves in. the kit-ten-throwing incident at the tournament boxing finals, and as tbe original report of the incident certainly made out a prima facie ease for them to take up. I i'eel it. is now time to make a statement. Exhaustive enquiries have been made, and 1 wish so far as possible to correct a wrong impression, held not only by tbe people of Christchurch, but by the general public of New Zealand. “The incident was admittedly a deplorable one, and one for which the student concerned is deserving of every censure. This Is not an attempt to excuse in any way a very silly action on his part. However, on a fair view being taken of tile facts as verified, the incident cannot be considered as serious as it first annealed.

“A party of three or four visiting students entered the Choral Hall, one of whom was carrying a kitten, and endeavoured to a way on to the stage. Thov wore ordered off. and took tip a. position in the front row of the stalls—the student with the kitten occupied thp scat, next to the middle aisle. Rhortlv afterwards a fencing display was being given, in which T acted as referee, and T was in such a nosition that I had flic three students, who were immediately in front of me. under surveillance throughout the lisplav Tlicv took part in several hakas. and I actually saw an arm raised just, before the kitten landed. From whore the kitten was thrown to where it landed was a distance that could not have been more than 12 feel. II actually landed on its feet, in front of me. I picked it up. handed it to an attendant, and proceeded with the fencing display. The kitten was taken to tiie dressing room, and was found to he iininiurcd. This fact has been verified by an official. “Tlio report states: ‘A university student. . . threw a kitten. . . . from high in the callorv to the centre of the

boxing ring ...” It is felt that this statement has caused (lie interest of tlio societies—not so much the throwing, but the distance (hat the kitten was alleged to have been thrown.

“A visiting magistrate, who was present and at least two city solicitors have expressed their opinions on the incident. All agree that thp -action of the student, was a silly one, but apart from this they fell no concern. Similar opinions are held bv all interviewed by me. All these fads can bo verified if necessary, and I hone that they will he given as wide publicity as the first report.”