SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2664, 5 April 1905, Page 4

SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

The committee of the Societj for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will piesent the fo'lowmg report to the annual meeting of subscribers . —

Your couiniiftec, in presenting its annual report for the year 1904, has pleasure in stating that the cases of cruelty brought under its notice were less by 18 than those of last year — denoting, in its opinion, an improvement in the treatment of dumb animals by the community at large.

During the year 137 cases were reported upon, as against 155 m 1903. Proceedings weie taken m 12 of them. Convictions were obtained in seven cases, one case dismissed, two withdrawn from weakness of evidence, and two cases awaiting trial. Four horses and! three cows were destroyed at the suggestion of the inspector.

The number of members is 407, besides whicH 80 have contributed under 5s as " Friends," ivLose names are not given; and one juvenile ticket applied for.

The subscriptions for 1904 amounted to £ISG 6s 3d, as against £144 12s 3d of the previous 3 r ear.

A record of thanks is due to the nutnero-as friends of tha society ; Inspector O'Brien and the police officials for their cordial assistance whenever required; the Railway Department; Mr F. D. Bamfield, contractor of railway advertising, who allows the society's notices to appear without charge; and the honorary officers — the veterinary surgeons, solicitors, .auditors, and local agents; also to the City Council for the use of its committee room. i Your committee desires to express its aupreeis- , tion of the continued good services rendered | to the society by its hon. secretary, hon. treasizrer, and" Mr "R. T. Aitken, inspector. | Mr Hadden Denniston is also entitled io thanks for his kind labours in 'the Oamaru district.

Collections in aid of the society were made by the following -—Rev. A. T. Chodowsld, Dunedin. £5 Is 6d; Miss Eliza Pressly, Anderson's Bay, 15s 6d ; Mr Glasgow Logan. Owaka, £4 3s 9d — all of whom are entitled, to the thanks of the society for the good services rendered, Mr Chodovvski in particular securing 16 new members.

Circulars were sent to various person 9 throughout.the province urging them to establish sub-comniittee3 in their districts, assist in getting members for -the society, and thug promote its interest and working; the subcommittee to. report any cases of cruelty coming under its notice to the hon. secretary. As yet nothing definite has been done in response, but your committee trusts the appeal will bear a good result.

Subscriptions will be received at any time by the hon. secretary or the inspector.

Before closing its report, your committee wishes to state that it is most desirable that any information as to alleged cruelty should be accompanied by the name and address of the informant, which would be received strictly in confidence if so desired by the writer. Anonymous allegations -will, kowevet', be inquired into if they appear to be made in good faith. All correspondence to do addressed to the hon. secretary.

Thja report of Mr E. T. Aitken, the _inspector. is appended, in which details are given as to the 137 cases reported and investigated. He adds: — "Prosecutions have only been taken in flagrant cases, and the police have -^prosecuted in a number of cases with: good results, and are always most willing to assist your society in its working I have noticed less cTue'ty in this than in previous years, and horses are kept in better condition. I have visited the following dis-. tricts — Kuiow. Otekaike. Oamaru, Pahnerston/% Waikouaiti. SeaclifY. Waitati, Port Chalmers, Lower Harbour. Mount Cargill. Peninsula, Halfway Bush. Leith Valley. Kaikorai Valley, Green Island, Brighton, Mosgiel, Outrarn, Taieri, Milton Waitahuna. Lawrence. Stirling, Kaitangata, Balclutha, and Clinton, etc., besides paying occasional visits to the Burnside Cattle Yards and the abattoirs."