THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1911. A GUARDIAN OF THE DUMB.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15064, 10 February 1911, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1911. A GUARDIAN OF THE DUMB.

li' the day should ever come when the automobile would supersede the horce tho volumo of the work of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals would then be largely curtailed. For while the guardianship of the Society extends over the entire brute creation its efforts axe in very huge measure necessarily directed to securing humane treatment for the noble beast that in bearing man's burdens performs tasks essential to the labour of everyday. But the report, of tho Otago Society's activities for the pa.st year shows that the efforts of its inspector were successfully applied also to the prevention of cruelty to cattle, pigs, and poultry. 'It is, therefore, cause for congratulation that the Sceiety has closed the twenty-ninth year of its existence with a satisfactory accession to its membership a,nd a proportionate addition to its funds. This lorturmte circumstance is attributed to the energy of the inspector and collector, but tins energy woukl not liavc been so amply rewarded if there were not widespread 'sympathy with the aims and objects of the Society, Mr Justice Williams, who, by presiding over the annual meeting yesterday, gave- another practical proof of the interest ho has 'manifested in the Society &inw Hβ ir.oepl.ion, pointed out iliat tlw dwi-c-iso In tho «w« roportfld

upon was duo not so much to any im- I provemenl in tho treatment meted out to the dumb animals by those charged with their caro as to the fact that during the period elapsing between tho resignation of tho former inspector and tho appointment of a successor the offico had temporarily lapsed. This fact is in ifself a recognition of the salutary influence exerted through tho knowledge that tho Society lias an inspector ever on the \v«i,tch for cases of "cruelty to animals. Perhaps tho most, gratifying eentenea in the report is that which states that, of tho 105 civsco that vera reported upon, a caution was enfflcieht in eightysix cases, and that it was deemed necessary to institute proceedings in three caeee only. A higher tribute to tho growing hnman.itarianism of tha time could scarcely be adduce*!. During the discussion upon the Teport stress was laid upon the nood for enlisting the sympathy and cooperation of the young people if 'the Society is to continue its beneficent labours, <ind the attention of the committee was directed to tho importance of the adoption of steps towards this end. Th' 3 statement was also made that tho clergymen of the city hardly exhibited as much sympathy with the Society ar, might !bo expected. Wo should hesit-ate to accept this statement without substantial corroboration. The explanation probably is that clergymen to-day ore exceedingly busy men,' and that, while sympathising with tho objects of the Sooiety for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, they find it a difficult, natter to put forth any special efforts on its behalf.