PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3071, 22 January 1913, Page 6

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

MEETING OF THE SOCIETY. The ordinary meeting of the Otago Society for the Prevention ot Cruelty to Animals, held on January 14, was attended by Messrs D. E. Theomin (in the chair), J. A. Forbes, W. Mills, W. D. Snowball, and 1. W. Jeans. GENERAL. R. Cowan (St. Bathans School) wrote stating that William Patrick M'Dcvitt and John Dillon had been awarded the associate’s medal for rescuing sheep entangled in barbed wire and sweet briar. —Received. J. D. Avery (the secretary of the Wellington Society) forwarded a circular letter suggesting a conference for a New Zealand Society, and seeking assistance from the Government, as was the case with some of the Australian States. —Mr Snowball moved that the proposal for affiliation bo approved of, as he thought much good could be done by a conference cf delegates from the various societies. Beyond that the committee was not in favour of the points raised in tho Wellington circular. —Mr Mills seconded the motion.—Mr Forbes said he desired to oppose the motion. An amalgamated society meant added strength and greater broadmindedness on the part of members. As ho could not move an amendment, he would refer again to the matter at the annual general meeting.—Tho motion was then put and carried, Mr Forbes recording his dissent. It was resolved that the secretary write to tho Mayor of Invercargill to endeavour to induce tho citizens there to form a society for tho prevention of cruelty to animals, and that a deputation be sent down to further the proposal if it is taken up. It was also decided to communicate with the Mayor of Gore on the same subject, and Mr' Forbes agreed to take the matter m hand in regard to that town. Tho secretary reported that the total balance to the credit of the society stood at £351 9s sd. inspector’s report. The inspector (Mr J. Craig) submitted a report upon his work during the year, and enclosed a list of the shows, race meetings, and places he had visited. From this it was apparent that he had made systematic tours of the whole of Otago in the interests of the prevention of cruelty. He stated that so far as he could observe from his visits to the country the condition of horses and cattle was very much improved, and owners were realising tbtfc it was to their own advantage to treat iWeir stock kindly. He was pleased to be able to record that more interest was being taken in the working of the society, and people generally did not hesitate to report any cases of cruelty that came under their notice. —Mr Mills asked if the inspector hud done nothing in the matter of overloading on vehicles, which, ho said, was fairly prevalent in certain hilly portions of the city.—The secretary stated, however, that he had gone into some cases of that nature, but he could not observe them all. —The chairman suggested that an advertisement in the press would probably cover the matter.—The report was adopted. annual report. A draft copy of the annual report and balance sheet was submitted and approved, tho chairman and secretary to arrange the time and the date. Tho following are the main features of the report Though the number of cases this year has exceeded that of tho previous 12 months by 27, yet such was to bo expected, taking into consideration the wider field gone over by the inspector and tho more extended district ho has to supervise, but nothing startling in tho shape of cruelty has been brought to light, and on reference to the details given in the inspector’s report, the cases will be found to consist of the usual class to which the society for years hae been accustomed. There were 147 cases reported upon during the year, as against 120 in 1911, 105 in 1910, and'l37 in 1909. Proceedings were taken in 11 of these cases, and convictions obtained in 10, resulting in tho payment of fines amounting to £lB 10s to the. Government, the costs being £9 10s. Ten cases wore not proceeded with on account of weakness of evidence, and 25 complaints were investigated and considered no cases; 101 persons wore cautioned' for various offences as detailed in the inspector’s report. Twelve horses were destroyed, also four cows. The number of members is 1014, besides which 10 persons have contributed under 5s each as “Friends.” Last year the latter numbered 47, but the inspector succeeded in getting the bulk of them to become members at the advanced subscription. Every endeavour is made to add to the roll of membership, and the committee would plead with its friends to assist the society in this respect. They have distributed cards to pupils (recommended

by the teachers) in various schools, free of charge, enrolling them as associates, in

order to get these young people to keep a watch on cases of cruelty being practised, and induce them to take an interest in tho working of the society, and ultimately to become members of it. The subscfiptions for 1912 amounted to £336 16s. as compared with £305 11s 6d in 1911, £241 7s in 1910, £153 19s 9d in 1909. The attention of the members of the society is again called to tho good services rendered by tho inspector (Mr Craig), as evidenced by the subscriptions for 1912 exceeding those of the previous record year, and the membershjp increasing from about 400 (when Mr Craig took charge) to 1014 this year. • During the last 12 months more than one application was made to tho St. Kilda Borough Council to erect drinking troughs, which are required within its borough, but these requests wore mot with a refusal. It was thought that tho matter should bo made public, as the want of tho troughs is felt in the St. Kilda district. The committee announces that a Miss Simmonds has bequeathed a sum. somewhere about £I2OO to the funds of the society. As soon as tho amount is received it recommends that a suitable memorial, say a drinking fountain for horses, etc., bo erected in the city in remembrance of the lady who so liberally benefited tho society.”