PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15064, 10 February 1911, Page 3

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

ANNUAL MEETING- 01? THE SOCIETY.

Tho twenty-ninth annual meeting of mom- | < bors of tho Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held in tho Town Hall yesterday afternoon. His Honor Mr Justice Williams presided, and there were about 15 members present. His Honor moved the adoption of the annual report (previously published) and balance sheet, and said that the former set out at length the work the society had dono daring the post year. It would be noticed that during the past year there had 'been fewer eases reported upon than had been repotted on in the previous year. Thero had been only 105 coses last year, while tho year before tho number was 137. Whilo they would bo very glad to think that thero was an improvement in the way animals were being treated, they had to recognise that during three months of last year, through tho absence of the inspector— 'Mr Craig not having been appointed,— there had been really nobody in charge to investigate and report on cases. Out of tho 105 cases it was fortunate that it had only been necessary to take proceedings in three of them, and in two convictions had been obtained. Sixteen eases had not been proceeded with on account of tho weakness of the 'evidence, and in £6 it was considered that a caution, was sufficient. He thought that showed that the work of the society during tho last 29 years had borno fruit. Of course, during the 29 years population had increased, and tho number of animals in. the provincial district had increased, yet they found that the cases of cruelty had now become exceedingly few. They had, he was happy to say, a very Jargo number of members-—669 in all. But they should not rest content with that number. Every effort should bo made to increase it. Thero had been a very great increase in the number of members during tho past year, and there were now 669, as against 394- for the previous year, and the subscriptions had increased from £153 19s Sd to £241 7s. That very happy result was due to the energy and hard work of their now inspector (Mr Craig), who had assumed office on the Ist April last, and had worked most successfully. Their old friend, Mr Aitken, who had been inspector for 27 years, had resigned, they ivould remember, at the last meeting. The committee wished particularly to express its appreciation of the good services of Mr Craig. Tho Dunedin City Council had worked with the society, arid water troughs had been erected in various parts !of the city, and parts of the streets had been sanded for tho protection of the horses during the winter. Mr E. C. Reynolds had erected a -water trough at the intersection of Albert and London streets, and Mr St. John M'Lean Buckley 3iad contributed £5 to assist the funds of the society, and had become a life member, and the committee hoped others would follow his example. Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Islington had consented to become patrons of tho society as successors to Lord and Lady Phinket. They had had to lament during tho year the loss of a very old and respected member of the society—Dr Hocken. He had been a member from the vory beginning, and had ahvays warmly supported the society's work. They had to thank this year, as in tho past, numerous persons from whom tho society had received assistance, especially ex-Inspector O'Brien, the railway officials, Mr Bamfield, and the solicitors and local agents of the society. The Jjcport also pointed out that tho committee acknowledged the services of tho hon. secretary and the hon. treasurer, and Mr Snowball for his expert advice. Mr Iladdon Dennison, in tho Oamaru district, was also entitled to the thanks of the society for his work in Oamaru. On leferring to the balance sheet they would find that the result of the year's operations was satisfactory. Tho society at its last annual meeting had voted a bonus to Mr Aitken in consideration of his long services, and that enhanced the expendituyre during tho past year, but he assumed that would not occur again in the ordinary course. The subscriptions, as he had said, showed a very considerable increase on the subscriptions for the previous year, and on tho whole ho thought the result was exceedingly satisfactory. Ho hoped that each of them would do what he could to draw additional membors into the society and arouse tho interests of the public, and especially of the young people, in tho society.

Mr W. Milib seconded the motion for the adoption of the report and balance gjieet, which was carried without discussion.

Mr G. Fenwick said that, as on many previous occasions, lio had very fpreat pleasure in moving the re-election of Mr Justice Williams as president. It required no words of his to commend the nomination. His Honor had always been a warm friend to the society, and they were always extremely gratified to. find him presiding over their annual meetings.

The motion was carried, and in returning thanks his Honor Kiid it wae a great pleasure to him to think that during' the whole life of the society ho had been intimately connected with it, Messrs George Fenwick, J. B. Thomson, and E. E. C. Quick were elected vicepresidents on the motion of Mr T. O'Brien. The committee elected consisted of the Mayor for the time being , . Mrs Edwards, Mfls Porteous, Miss Marion 0. Allan, Miss Porteous. tho Rev. A. T. Chodowski, the Rev. W. Saundere, Mr D. E. Theomin, iMr John Campbell. Mr W. Mills. Mr T. W. Jeans, Mr W. D. Snowball, Mr J. A. Forbce, and Mr T. O'Brien.

Mr W. Livingstone- was re-elected lion, treasurer, Mr T. S. Graham hon. secrctary, Messrs \V. Brown and Co. auditors, and Mr Iladdon Dennison aprent at Oamaru. Messrs I-lislop, Lang, Calvert, and Brugh and A. C. Smith were added lo the list of lion, solicitors to the society. A vole of thanks was accorded his Honor for presiding. Mr J. A. Forbes, referring to tho question of interesting young people i:i the work of tho society, and if they were j going to nxist and iirogress in tho way they would like ho was suro tlie.v mtst enlist the interest of the young people. In what way that was to be done it was difficult to say, but. he would r'Ugrgosfc that tho committee should go into tho question and endeavour to get the young people to take an interest in the work the society was carrying on. He also added that the secretary had sent out circulars to tho clergymen of the city asking them to become members of tho society, and in response to that circular one clergyman had answered. That was a very serious and unsatisfactory stato of things. It was 60 in this respect: that the young people who took notice of it would bo inclined to think there was not that importance in tho work of the society there really was. Ho thought it was to be regretted that the clergymen of the city took so little interest in, the important work tho society was seeking to carry on.