CRUELTY TO ANIMALS SOCIETY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1163, 15 June 1894, Page 42

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS SOCIETY.

The fortnightly meeting of the Committee of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held on the 23rd. Mr J. G. W. Aitken presided, and there were also present Mesdames Lingard and Christie, Rev J. K. Elliott, Messrs E. Tregear, J. Ilott, F. de J. Clere, W. G. Foster, C. H. Black (treasurer), and J. S. Jameson (secretary). Mrs Hislop and Mr Atkinson were unable to be present. The Inspector reported that he had seen Mr J. Doyle, the Inspector of Nuisances, with reference to the dogs of Mr Rodgers, Courtenay place, and Mr Doyle had said he thought there was no cruelty in keeping them, adding that Mr Rodgers was a dog fancier, and knew how to treat them. The list of cases reported on to May 23rd comprised :—1 for cruelty in handling poultry; 1 working horses with sores ; 4 working lame horses ; 2 beating animals; 1 overcrowding poultry in transit. The report also mentioned the case of an expressman who had been in the habit of leaving his horses tied to the express at night, so that they could not lie down. The report showed that the man had now desisted from the practice. Another case mentioned was that of a cabman who was stated to sleep in his cab at night, leaving his horses standing all night. The reports of two constables, however, showed that the cabman did not sleep in his cab, but merely sat there occasionally, and that the horses were in fair condition. Mrs Lingard said she had been informed that recently a truck load of sheep came from the Wairarapa, in which two sheep were lying dead —trampled to death —and two others were in a dying condition. The Inspector said he would enquire into the matter.

Replying to Mr Clere, the Inspector said the shippers of poultry at Picton and Blenheim were trying to meet his wishes in regard to the cases in which birds were sent, and the Wellington auctioneers were in some instances supplying the birds with water. The Inspector said the chief neglect was in regard to birds sent by boat from Lyttelton on Saturdays, which did not get any food or water till the Monday following. He was instructed to make further enquiries in the matter. Mrs Lingard reported that a member of the Society had said he could not remain a member so long as they allowed the dog 3 to be drowned by the means adopted by the Corporation in regard to stray dogs. The matter was discussed, but no action was taken, the Committee being of opinion that no better means of destroying them could be found.

The Secretary reported that Mr James Sexton, of Tory street, had accepted the position of honorary veterinary adviser to the Society. A draft of a clause proposed to be added to the Police Offences Act, authorising a constable to break into a house where a case of cruelty is supposed to exist, was submitted to the Committee and approved,

Mrs Christie reported that an effort had been made to form a Band of Mercy among' the children at the Mount Cook schools, and that they had received the idea with great interest. A number of collection cards were handed to the treasurer for distribution.