TOPICS OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4380, 11 June 1901, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

THE PROTECTION OF ANIMALS. Mr H. Jutsum, au active member of the Christchurch Society for the Prevolition of Cruelty to Animals, while travelling in th 0 Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay districts, has been organising a sort of crusade for the protection of animals. When he was at Masterton the other day ho addressed a meeting of farriers, 'pointing out the illegality of burning for lampas in horses, and read Mr Kcnd'alTs lecture on the subject, reprinted not long since hy the Wellington society. ' The farriers passed a resolution against the practice, and decided to ask the Wellington .society to state .what treatment should be followed in' such cases. It lias been resolved to reply that Mr Gilruth has recommended lancing, to be performed only by a duly-qualified veterinary surgeon. Mr Jutsum has since been working in the Hawke’s Bay district on behalf of the cause. Ho has written asking to he permitted to act as a representative of the Wellington society, and to form branches in the country districts. In one letter, h e mentioned incidentally that four blacksmiths in one- country town were all burning for lampas until he pointed out the illegality of the practice, whereupon they agreed to stop it. In the discussion of this subject at a meeting' of the society yesterday, Mr Watson said he thought it would be unwise to form branches in the country districts, where there might be considerable difficulty in raising funds. The Rev H. Van Staveron, on the other hand, believed that the existence of a society would have a deterrent effect in a. country town. Finally a motion was carried, thanking Mr Jutsum for his efforts, and encouraging him to do whatever is possible to establish branches.

TO-NIGHT’S ILLUMINATIONS

In honour of the landing of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall at Auckland, the public buildings in Wellington, in common with those in other centres of the colony, will to-night be illuminated. It is the desire of the Government that private persons should also mark the occasion by illuminating their business premises and dwellings.