CRUELTY TO ANIMALS SOCIETY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1163, 15 June 1894, Page 16

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS SOCIETY.

The Committee of the Wellington Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals held its usual fortnightly meeting yesterday week. Present —Mr J. G. W. Aitkcn (in the chair), Mesdauios Lingard and Christie, and Messrs J. Ilott, E. Tregear, C. H. Black (treasurer), A. R. Atkinson and J. S. Jameson (hon. secretary), and Rev J. K. Elliott. inspector's report. The report of the inspector stated that he had seen Mr Wheeler, of the Union Steam Ship Company, with regard to putting a stop to the way in which poultry is now conveyed by the Saturday boats from Lyttelton. Ho said he thought the matter ought to bo taken up by the Canterbury Society, but if not, if a letter were written to him by the Wellington Society ho would write to Mr Lambie, tho Christchurch manager. He (Mr Smith) suggested the best thing to do would be to refuse -taking on board at Lyttelton all cases of poultry that were not supplied with tins properly fastened inside, and without food for the passage across. Mr Wheeler said he thought that might be done. Mr Wheeler also said he would see what could bo done with regard to having a bettor constructed race to unload small animals, as a pig had had its leg broken in landing off one of the Company's boats. On the arrival of the Hauroto from Lyttelton he found a case of ducks which was very shallow, and the ducks much cramped, and he had also been informed that two cases of pigeons had been landed from the Waihi, the cases being very small, and the pigeons closely packed. During tho past fortnight ho had enquired into three cases of cruelly handling poultry; two, working lamo horses; two, working horses with sores; two, beating animals; three, overcrowding in transit, and carelessly unloading pigs. DOOS REVIVED AFTER BEING HALF AN HOUR UNDER WATJSR. Mr R. Locker wrote, stating that on passing the Corporation yards on tho 23th ultimo he was attracted by the whining of distressed puppies, and, following- the sound, he found a hamper full of apparenty drowned dogs. Removing a few frem the top he got to a lot of puppies, none of which seemed dead beyond revival. He took possession of them, and considered them now quite restored. Would it not, Mr Locker asked, come within the scope of the Society's operations to cause tho Corporation to use a more humane and more effective way of killing dogs ? The Chairman said ho had seen Mr Page, the Town Clerk, who folt very keenly on the matter. Mr Page said he had always looked on drowning as tho most humane method of killing dogs, but if tho Society could suggest any better method tho Council would be pleased to consider it. Mr Page also said he had made enquiry and found that these dogs had been under 3ft of water for half an hour when they were found. The matter was discussed at some length, and eventually it was decided, on the suggestion of Mr Ilott, to request the Council to allow the Society's inspector to be present at future drownings of clogs. BAND OF MERCY. Mesdames Lingard and Christie brought up the proposed rules for a Band of Mercy, to be established among children. Mrs Lingard said the rules were the work of Mr Tregear. Tne rules were adopted. finance. The Treasurer (Mr Black) reported that the number of members now totalled 260, and there was a large balance in hand. The following subscriptions were acknowledged :—Collected per Mr Aitken—MrC. J. Hardie, 10s 6d; collected per Mr 3 Lingard—Mr G. Robertson, ss; Mr Hall, 2s 6d ; Mr Rose, 5s ; Mrs Rawson, 2s 6d; Messrs. Rees and Son, 2s 6d. DISCUSSION BY THE CITY COUNCIL At the meeting of the City Council lastr week, the Town Clerk read a report from the man who was engaged to drown tho animals mentioned, in which he stated that the puppies were under water 35 minutes. Councillor Levoi said he had been told by an expert that it was quite possible puppies would recover after such an immersion. Councillor Anderson said that if tho animals would not drown in 35 minutes they must find some other method of destroying them. They might knock them on the head. The Town Clerk said he had heard tho Committee of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals had resolved to ask tho Council to allow their inspector to be present at future drownings. Councillor Praser moved that this permission be given, which was seconded by Councillor Petherick, and carried.