SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7006, 1 May 1884, Page 6

SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

T he annual meeting of thia society was held -•esterday in the Theatre Eoyal, H$ Bxcel«noy the Governor of the colony presiding. A considerable number of ladies occupied * the stage;- The Right Rev. the Bishop of Auckland and the Bight Rev. Bishop Luck (8.Q.) were among the audience. The attendance in the body of the house was not large. The Hon. Seobktaby (iSr, G. W. Brassey) rea£ 'the..first annual report as follows :— On the loth of October, 1833, a : public meeting was held in Auckland for the purpose of forming the lOeUty. The details In connection with the working of the society have been since curried out under the ♦ enper?j*ion of an executive committee, and so Jar snceeal appears to hare attended the society a efforts. At tne present time the members number 101 of a □vilification of 10s and upwards, and ont of the funds the society have been paying their inspector a salary of #ISO i>er annum. When the society first started, cruelty to animals was very prevalent in Auckland, and it Iμ a matter of congratulation that sow the offence bis greatly diminished owing (o the exertions put forth by members, the committee, and the inspector.; but'nevertheless there is a great lack pt assistance by the outride public that possibly may be accounted for by the numerous charitable institutions at present supported by private subscription. It is much to he regretted that in a place like Auckland where the population of the city is so great the ladles do not exercise a greater desire to interest themselves in promoting the welfare and objects of the society than they do, but I regret to say that in Dunedln the same apathy exists. It U to be hoped, however, that the sympathy of the ladies will eventually be enlisted, and that they in turn will train the youthful mind to appreciate the efforts of the committee The committee beg to state, however, tnat ladies have reported easel to the Secretary, and the committee with it to be clearly understood that ill reports coming to them are strictly private and confidential. Complaints in England are reported from the country districts, and it was thought by the society that free railway passes should be applied for to enable the society's Inspector and an honorary solicitor to travel by rail to places at a distance, but the Government refuse to grant them, a caase much to be regretted, seeing that the complaints ore so loud and numerous agtinst the cruelty practised on cattle In being trucked pn the lines, Tke society have ajsp found epme difficulty in Plaining the" ««'*£<»«' °» honorary country agentt, but trust in time to overcome the delicacy appare»t In some at the idea of the acceptance of the office involving the information feeing necessarily laid and the cue conducted by them, whereas in reality the information will always be lala by the police if the necessary evidence i» given, leav? Ing the society'* representative no other duty than to watch a case If necessary. The Hon.* Treasurer read the balancesheet, from, which it appeared that the receipts were £157, and the expenditure £105 for the year. Hβ Exoeivlency said : ladies apd Gentler men,—'The operations of- this society that have been detailedin the report which baa just been read to you by the Secretary, and the financial statement, which h»s been read to yoa by the Treasurer, certainly do not indicate, a» yet, that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in the Auckland District, has obtained any great hold, on the public mind. I am glad, however, to see so many ladies and gentlemen here although their number ii somewhat limited—to take part in this afternoon's proceedings. With your permission I shall make a few observations In reference to the objects of this society. The nature of them may be well known to you, nevertheless in any statement which the Chairman of such a meeting as this can make to yoa observations of the kind must form part of his address. I am sure it is impossible bnt that the proceedings of this kind shonld commend themselves to all who possess a humane character. I found this afternoon, in looking over the papers publiahtd in the United States, the objects of a similar society there etated very concisely. If yon will allow me I shall read them to you. The society of Massachusetts " aims to put those laws in force which are designed to protect animals, and do what it can for the promotion of humane education. Its officers believe with. Lamartdne that to take animals within the sphere of duty and charity is to improve mam himself. It aims at preventing the, beating, over-loading, over-driving, and under-ieeding animals; also to prevent tke driving of inch as are galled or disabled ; to prevent cruelty in the transportation of live stock of every kind; to advocate the making of better roads, better modes of treament, better horse-shoeing, improvement of care, and' generally more humane laws." The society in Masiachusetts "would also induce clergymen, editors, teachers, and all in authority to educate, each in his own sphere," aaeri to do justice towards the dumb oreation. Some six years ago there were no meana of putting these principles into practice. About that time the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Ajumals was started in England. The Queen was its Patron, tqe late Earl of Hjarrowby was its President; on its Board of officers were all, —or amongstthemthe most eminent men in England. One of the ladies of the Humane Committee was the Baronees Bnrdett-Contts, so well known for her humanity, aiirl who is ever ready to assist charitable objects wherever she can find them. The influence of the society upon the clergy immediately after its establishment ■was apparent from the fact' that' sermons were preached from a great many pulpits to promote -the objects of the " society, and- "of 1439 cases prosecuted in the first year 1392 were convicted. .Its influence even with royalty might be ascer*tained from the fact that at the last annual meeting, the Queen's daughter, the Princess Lenise, distributed 190 prizes to 190 of the London schools for the best essay condemning cruelty to dumb animals. Similar societies exist in all European countries, in America, Australasia, and they are rapidly increasing in the United States and Canada. Many of those societies are under the immediate protection and patronage of royalty itself. Jt Is in America that they .would appear to be attracting the greatest amount of sympathy, .obtaining aid._ and encouragement from the most eminent rnep. I- shall not trouble you with any'more , observations from American reports. 1 thinkliiave quoted sufficient to ■how yon the interest which is taken by all humane people in these societies. I am glad to see that not long ago (in 1880) an Act was passed by the New Zealand Legislature to provide for these objects. It is called " The Cruelty to Animals Act." It is in order to rfve as impetus to the carrying out the objects of this Act that this society was called into existence. Similar societies were called into existence in Christchurch and Dunedin. I am not sure, but 1 think that one has not keen started yet in Wellington. If not, J hope one will soon be started there. I need not trouble you with detailing the . provisions of the Act. I observe by the report , that, among other things, it is there' stated that the absence of inter reat taken by the ladies of Auckland is assigned as one reason why it has not bucceeded -so well as might have been expected; However that may be, I do hope each » reason will-not continue.to have any ■ ground for it. So far as I am concerned, I trted to Induce' Miss Jeryois to make a speech to yon on the subject, but she denot being- accustomed to , publics speaking, more especially from the stage of a theatre. (Laughter.) But I am quite sure that • many ladies could address' you raore - eloquently than I can with regard to the objects of a society-like this. To put- • the matter' before you in a familiar sort of way:- Suppose that instead of you these dumb -'animals had -votes. Suppose they weke so included within electoral constituencies. -What would be the casekvheh the election came round? You would find advertisements about comfortable saddles - for the backs of horses, others would advertise to ehow how light their loads were, other* would declare how well they kept the wheels greased, the owner would guarantee shearing his sheep without cutting them, and the heavy -gentleman would make knewn to the animal creation how desirous he- was to reduoe his own. weight to the lowest standard. (Laughter and applause.). Suppose any of these'animals could speak, ana say how he was driven up hill, how; he ■erae hurthoned with a load quite beyond his strength, suppose they could exercise their votes, why raising the rates on, railways would be nothing* to it. (Laughter and chews.) The whole of the constituencies would, be in' an uproar; but, ladies and gentlemen, no words from me are neqes.aary to , recommend to yon the claims of this society, Its claims to your sympathy and rapport rest upon the grounds of humanity, besevojep.ee, and Christianity itself. (Apr : plaose.) - X therefore call upon you, the people of Auckland generally, to support ttWHWfliety for the - *' Prevention of Cruelty, to Anlmala." (Applause.) -The report'and balance-sheet were unanimously adopted. : . • "''.'•■•'■ ; Hie Lordship the Bishop, of Auckland ■aid the hour at which the meeting had been called was rather inconvenient to many periwna. Had the meeting been called for the 4 evening he believed there would be a larger • attendance. ' .."'.' ■ , Bishop' Luck; said it had fae6n observed that of the kind were apt to de-; •generate intp a morbid sentinientalism, It sometimes happened that duty and'ohanty

were diverted from proper objects which were neglected, • He.':had- heard of an instance where a lady who had a large Mount St. Bernard' mastiff, felt greater concern for it than she did for her own servant. Duty was due to superiors and equals, not to inferiors. Describing it as applicable to dogs was unbecoming and uncalled for. ■ • Mr. F. L&BKiNa suggested that a ladies' committee should be appointed. The names of ladiee willing to serve might Be taken at once.' Aβ to the observations of Bishop JiUok, ha (Mr. Larkins) thought that the duty of humanity and kindness was doe to every creature,.whether superior or inferior ■ —high or low. ; • Sybney Tatwhanga said that he and his Maori friends were always ready to obey good laws. Hβ would be very willing to serve on the committee. Some Maoris were very cruel to their horses. He believed the society wonld prevent that. The elections were coming , on,' and if; he should be toturned, he would assist in making goodla^rn. Mr t MocATXA-said that in Cbristchurch there waa a " yoong people's " branch of the society'.' In America there were what were known as "bands of mercy," having 114,000 members. • ■ -- - _ Mr. G. N. Bbassey thought there might be some idea that the fines went into the pockets of the solicitors engaged. That was not so; the fines, were handed over to the society. .. ~..■,, His • Exobllkncy announced tbat lady Jervois or Miss Jervois would be very happy to receive the names of ladies that would be willing to serve on the committee. In reply to his Maori friends, he expressed _ the pleasure he felt in hearing of their readiness to obey the law. If the Maori people would come forward, and take a prominent part in making good laws. In assisting humane and charitable objects, he felt sure their assistance, would be welcomed with universal satisfaction by all classes of people in New Zealand. (Applause.) A vote of thanks was passed to His ExceJ- - lenoy for presiding, and the meeting termi- < nated. ':