SOCIETY THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN

Otago Witness, Issue 2623, 22 June 1904, Page 77

SOCIETY THE PREVENTION OF CRUEL TY TO CHILDREN

The following is the committee's annual report for 190 i, to ba presented to the annual meeting of subscribers: —

Many people have sought the aid of the society for advice and sympathetic help. The xiature of the applications prevents our regarding them as '" cases " in our reports, yst through the help of different raeuibers of committee these people have had their inquiries attended to with happy results. Only those who are dealing with the various kinds of trouble going on in our midst in any way understand the need of such a society as ours a need proved by those who require its assistance. It is scarcely necessary to state that there are two sides to every case, and on this platform the society endeavours to be just to both parties— indeed, often the pointing oiit of errors on both sides is the tinning point towards a much better state of tliinga. Independent of the 50 cpsos tlraH with in this section of the work cHirirg the past year there have been 77 cases. A gloat many requiring legal advice, several medical aid, and '.ome have had to be placed before a magistrate before the parties could ba dealt wivh in any wa3* satisfactorily by this soeiely. To gi'^e in detail any particular caso would be a breach of confidence to those who ha\o sought help, as Ihe applicants would be liable to think it lef erred to their own special tiouble. presuming it was of a similar nature, and this report is on'v intended to prove the need of our soL'lety amongst so many individuals, both men and women, who require advice and do not know where to 'seek it.

Though falling far short of perfection in some extreme cases, the society endeavours tc TK^S the applicants for help as far as gos-

sible. It is only personal application for aid in the cause of right that can receive countenance from this society. The different classes of work dealt with aie at times almost too mtricate to undertake, bixt by persistent work and patience the knotty problems are at least simplified, if j.ot altogether satisfactorily adjusted. More assistance and help has been promised to the society now its methods are becoming understood, therefore it is almost impossible to abandon a work that has proved its usefulness by the many applications for help durinp- tho society's existence.

Every assistance possible has been given by the police, and our secietary has received the greatest courtesy and kindness frora tho Inspector and Sub-inspector Green. "We are indebted to the press for aid in various ways. Several members of the legal profession, who do not wish their lirmcs mentioned, have given advice gratis on many occasions, and further assured us that their assistance would be available at any time for no necessary a work. These voluntary offers from different professions considerably strengthen the conhdeuce of those who have so undauntedly stood by the society in the past. Much of the work falls to the lot of the president and vice-presi-dents between th>3 monthly meetings. Special thanks are due to the hon. treasurer (Mrs Gordon Macdonald), and to our collector (Miss L. Cohen). On many occasions when medical aid has been required, our hon. jnedical practitioner (Dr E Siedeberg) has promptly given her services. Mr Myers, deiotist, has given us ? ssistance in many ways ; also Dr de Lautour lies given his services m many cases. In reference to the legal work, the heavy portion has fallen on the shoulders of out- hon. rollcitor (Miss E. Benjamin), and our indebtedness to her is very great indeed. Our hon. solicitor (Mr A. S. Adams) at various times has given

most valuable help. V'c also grifcid'iy _ac*v nowledge the help and sjmpath,- ierc v i\-~J hrm the sisters of ths various churches The I :z'< thauks of the committee are due i • ■' l e i\t-v. W. A. Siiidair for permission 'o use ti^ Mission Aall, W^lkoi greet, riming the 1««!> 12 month';, many elicits cal'./ig on our s~c"rtary whilst holding office tliefc. Our ccmnuites cpniiot tt-o completely state jts appieciatiori of the energetic services ot it= asicl of the untiring zeal and patience ii dealing v-xtb the work of the society duimg the ;ca v .

The following- have been elected as a School Committee for Cha«lands :— 'Mf«~rW. Kirkland (^huwmanK F. Poff (-^ecro (ary). H. Peak, H. List, E. S. King. J. Smilhe, and O. ll'Kenna. The ■-cho'.>! has been elo-cd foi: five weoka for the urdVvii.ter holidays-. Air T. H Dpvey. ihc junior M.H.R. for Christchuvch, when addressing his constituents on frlciay evening last, stared that many members of the Lower House vere in the habit of standing up night after night to speak to rhe galleries, but. when the reporter's had left, they paired and went home to bed. Referring to railway construction, he sa<d that if the lines w-ove to be built to-day, tho Great Southern woiHil not be taken to Port Chalmers, nor the Otago Centra! through ih© Taieri Gorge. As regards the Midland railway, he said that if it had <to be started now it would neve-r bo built at al'. Probably Mr Davey's idea is that 'he southern hue would' have been taken by the Leith Tailor, which presents no difficulties and would havo bee« a great saiing in tho length of line.