PROTECTION OF WOMEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18075, 27 April 1922, Page 9

PROTECTION OF WOMEN

<. I —. WORK OF THE SOCIETY. Details of a year of useful activity ar« given in the report of the Society for the Protection of HVomen and Children and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, to be presented at the annual meeting to-day. The appointment of Mrs. Fry as assistant organiser and secretary is notified. It is stated that the public support given to the society has not yet rendered feasible the appointment of an assistant to the inspector, Mr. N. Webster, although such an assistant is urgently needed. An apponl is made to the citizens who approve the society's work, but who do not support it financially, to recognise their responsibility in a practical manner. The report of the women and children's department contains a tribute to the work of Miss I. L. Burton, who, for some years past, has been without aid. The record of cases dealt wi*h shows an increase »i 72 over last year'i figures, the total number being 220. Of this number 34 were taken to Court. " Some of these cises are pitiful in the extreme," states the report. " Women and children, by re.-.son of their comparative helplessness, are sometimes the victims of cruel, drinkmaddened selfish men, and if the sordid details of cases could be published, citizens would t'hen, perhaps, form a more just estimate of the beneficent work of the society in striving to protect the weak and helpless. Most of the cases that arise in this department are settled by tactful and judicious arrangement. Some are arranged by the kindly intervention of our advisory "solicitor, the Court is not appealed "to except when necessity compels." The good work done in the prevention of cruelty to animals branch by its inspector, Mr. Noble Webster, is the subject of appreciative comment. " This do- " partment has been ably served by the inspector," states the report, " who combines devotion to duty with tact, firmness and good sense," That there is urgent need for such (>n official as an inspector is shown by the fact that 107 cautions have been given by Mr. Webster during the period from May, 1921, to March. 1922. There were three prosecutions, in all of which con , victions were obtained, and 29 animals were humanely destroyed. The subscriptions and donations received during the year amounted to £603, an jn crease of £23 over last year's figures. i The usual grant of £75 had not been received from fhe Government, and there . was thus a shortage of in receipts as compared with last year. A welcome , [legacv of £100 had been received from W , late 'Miss A- J. Irvine, with a proviso i that the monev was to be used .for W£. benefit of the animals. organised bv th» Ww' *«# 1 brought in a'sum of £388.» >*fy s the society amount to l#x>h ,?-?* are no liabilities.