KINDNESS TO PUSSY CATS

NZ Truth, Issue 1199, 22 November 1928, Page 19

KINDNESS TO PUSSY CATS

"QNCE, my lads — but the world was young> then," soldiers wore scarlet coats, plumes nodded 'from their helmets, and their trousers were things of beauty and joy while they lasted. Captain James Henry, now of Wellington, but once of the Irish 7th Dragoons, spent quite a lot of time polishing his own buttons .and marcel- waving his charger's taii'. In Egypt, India and South Africa he followed the drums and settled down at the close of the Boer War with medals festooned .about his chest. * \ Always the part of his cavalry life which appealed to Captain Henry most was the care of and friendship with "Tils horses. After the war he was made District Commandant up m theOrange Free State, Out "when sei£government was given to the Boers he didn't exactly hit it with his prospective Dutch overlords, and so came out to New Zealand, to meet again the many New Zealand -chums who had fought side by side with him m various hot corners, and talked longingly of New Blighty. Farming for three years gave the captain some more experience with animals, and then he came down to Wellington, and m 1914 became . district inspector -of the S.P.C.A.

The work goes on m a quiet way, and many people don't know that cases of serious importance number scores every month, while of trivial cases (which nevertheless must be investigated and dealt with) there are hundreds. Every department of the animal kingdom, from the lordly Peke to the lowly pig - , is under the society's inspection and care. .. If warnings aren't heeded, something commonly known as a "bluey" is the unpleasant result, and a fine of from £5' to £50 persuades the delinquent owner to do better next time. . Apart from court work, the inspector is confidently expected (a) to destroy animals when hurt or too sick to be cured, (b) to prevent cats from howling, (c) to turn a friendly ear to vegetarians and all such as want the laws of nature to be polished up here and there." Captain Henry, though he is seventy .j'.ears of age, looks fifty, feels forty, and preserves the straight shoulders and keen energy of youth. He's ready and glad to talk of old times — of his .birthplace, Kilkenny, whence came the little tortoiseshell cat that never leaves his watchchain, of old days m foreign fields, and, most of aft, of the society's I work for "dumb friends."