PREVENTION OF CRUELTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18325, 15 February 1923, Page 9

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY.

ACTIVITIES OF SOCIETY. The committee meeting of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals met under the presidency of the Rev. P. S. Smallfield. The secretary reported that, 38 cases had been attended to in the women and children department, of which number 27 dealt with troubles between husbands and wives, 5 concerned children, 3 were affiliation cases, and 3 various matters. Nine old erases were redealt with, five taken to Court, and one private agreement made < in a solicitor's office. The inspector made 35 visits to homes. ' The inspector of the animals branch reported having given 39 cautions in cases of horses ill-treated or neglected, poultry^ over-crowded, etc. Thirteen animals had been humanely destroyed. The chairman referred to a recent able article in the Herald by Miss Elsie Morton on cruelty to horses in Auckland, which mentioned the steep grade of some of the streets and the slippery nature of the entrances to some of the warehouses. The inspector stated that the society had been instrumental in having the condition of about 30 doorways improved'and two crossings concreted at Ihe railway yards. He mentioned that ieand was spread daily on • all the streep grades of the city streets. It was resolved to ask the City Council to tar and sand the sides of the road, near the footpath, of such steep grades as the top of Pitt Street. In response to a letter from a teacher in a Maori school regarding cruelty to animals by Maoris, and suggesting that placards be placed in schools, and public places, a sub-committee was formed to go into the matter. . - A resolution from the Christchurch branch, that cases of mentally defective parents should be tabulated by the society, with a view to obtaining legislation to prevent propagation ,of the unfit, was adopted. ~ - v ■ ■ The following were appointed examiners for the annual essay competition:—The Rev. P. S. Smalfield, Rev. C. A. B. Watson. Rev. G. Bond, Father Cahill, Miss Jackson, and Miss Outhwaite. It was resolved to hold the annual meeting on Thursday, April 26. Dr. R. M. Beattie was nominated as president for the ensuing year. . A resolution of sympathy was passed to the widow and family of the late Rev. F. Warner, who for several years was a vicepresident of the society, and acted as an | examiner in the essay competition. r '