HOW TO KILL CATTLE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5134, 28 November 1903, Page 9

HOW TO KILL CATTLE.

DISCUSSED BY THE S.P.C.A. THE RABBI AND THE INSPECTOR. Yesterday the Roy H. Van Staveron was re-elected to bo a member of the committoo of tho Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and in returning thanks ho referred to tho rev cent trouble between liim.so.lf and tho society’s inspector regarding the method by which ho (the rabbi) slaughtered tlio or.ttle and sheep required by the Jewish community. Ho had boon on the committee sinco its inception and ho would noli like tho members to think that ho ico nk! in any way wish tho commit too to thwart Inspector Seed in what that gentleman thought was his duty. Mr Staveron re-echoed Air Atkinson’s encomiums on Mr Seed as a zealous officer cf the society; ho had proved it lately, and ho had known it Jong before; .Wiiita upon the subject, ho thought it well that tho community should know that Mr Seed had again been inspecting tho speaker’s method of slaughtering cattle—Mr Seed was out lapt Friday—and tho speaker believed that Mr Seed saw no proof that cruelty was practised. Two horned cattle were killed, and a timo check was taken, which showed that in each case tlio boast died in a minute. No healthy animal, whether human or otherwise—no animal that was to bo put to death for humanity's sake (for wo ato flash, and therefore, tlio deaths had to bo) — could be more speedily put to death than that, when health requirements wore considered. A boast could not bear much pain in a minuto. Tho point lia wished to reiterate, however, was that he would not be tmo to thwart Dir Seed in any of his endeavours, and ho hoped Mr Seed would remain with the society much longer; it would bo very difficult to find another man like him. Mr Seed said ho would bo very sorry to think that Hr Van Staveron was a cruel man, but after what ho had soon on Friday ho’ was still of opinion that tho method of slaughter was cruel—moro because of what led up to tho final act than that act in itself Tho beasts had to be pulled with a rope to get them into position, and sometimes it .happened that their horns wore pulled off. He put it to Mr Van Staveron if that was not so. Mr Van Staveron replied that onoo in fivo years it might happen. Mr Seed repeated that getting tho bullock into position, for slaughter was what caused unnecessary pava and suffering.- Ho intended to see-fivo or six moro killings before definitely deciding, but ho was satisfied in his own mind that tho practice led to a lot of suffering. Tho most humane way of killing cattle wais by spearing from above. Aa to Mr Van Stavoron’s /method, ho was not always fortunate in getting those bullocks clown. Tho Jewish way was not a humane way. In looking over Scripture to ascertain thd ancient Jewish method of killing, Mr Seed had been struck by the belief that the bullocks of old must havo been a very quiet lot. “The priest then used to lay his hands on them.” said Mr Seed, “ bub I don’t think the Rev Dll' _ Van Staveron could do that with the animals ho hats to put through 1” Mr Van Staveron remarked that ho would nob like to try. Mr Seed, in concluding, reviewed tho whole case, and said that at times there were occurrences at tho preliminaries to slaughtering that would make Mr Van Staveron'liable under the Police Offences Act.