PREVENTION OF CRUELTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 14

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY.

annual meeting of SOCIETY. EFFECTS OF EDUCATION. ! The annual meeting of the Otago Societv for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals took place in. the Citv Council Chambers on the afternoon of February 28. The president (Sir George Fenwick) occupied the chair.

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. ■'. In moving the adoption of the forty-fifth annual report, which has been already published, the Chairman suggested that the report and balance sheet be taken as read, jmd this was agreed to. Sir George said that they would see from the report that there were 103 cases of cruelty inquired into in 1926 as against 183 in 1923 and 150 in 1924. It was somewhat difficult to account for the remarkable decrease in the number of cases during the pastyear. There were always many cases in country districts, and when the season was bad and fpod scarce stock frequently suffered from callous owners, who had to be brought to book. He was glad to say, however, that that was not a very frequent occurrence. They had had some rather bad cases of that kind in the country districts. _ Mr Craig, who was very active in his visits to the country, told him that cruelty now was very much less than it was some years ago. This, of course, had been a particularly good season with plenty of food for stock, and it might be that for that reason there been some reduction in the instances of efuelt.y. s?hen z there had been an increase in tne

number of motor vehicles, which reduced the number of horses on the streets. Whatever had been the cause it was satisfactory to know that cruelty to the lower animals was on the decrease. He did not think there was any doubt about that. He thought it might be fairly, inferred from all the inspector told him that that was so. Thanks to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in England and to such organisations as theirs.in the Dominion he thought it was unquestionable that a more humane spirit was manifest with respect to the treatment of dumb animals. It occurred in many ways. Take; for example, the treatment of chained dogs. The society had been instrumental in one or two instances in the country in making people realise how cruel it was that a dog should be chained up in the manner that it was. He could put the matter better than by reading an extract he came across written by the great novelist Wheeler, of whom they had all heard. In an eloquent passage the novelist said that to chain up week after week the most vivacious, sociable, and active of animals was a brutality so great that it was marvellous that it had ever been permitted. The torture. of young dogs was hideous, and the writer compared their sufferings to those of a child similarly restrained. The sufferings of dogs left chained in solitude and often without food were utterly undeserved and wholly inexcusable. Every kind of disease was created and propagated by this cruelty. ‘‘Why keep a dog at all, coneluded the writer, "if you cannot keep him properly?”—(Applause.) Mr J. A. Forbes, of Oamaru, had been instrumental in carrying through with the help of their society and many other societies a very active Animal Welfare Week last

year. He was quite certain that it did much good, and he trusted that Mr Forbes •would be able in the ensuing year to carry out that week again. In the very elaborate list of thanks in the report they had overlooked mention of the Hon. G. *M. Thomson, who for several years had been very active in his endeavour to prevent the use of live pigeons in gun club matches. — (Applause.) He hoped and believed that before long they would have the Act they desired on the Statute Book. — (Applause.) In the meantime he wished to record his thanks to Mr Thom.son and also to the local Gun Club, which had very largely abandoned live pigeons. The club was not quite its own master, because it belonged to a federated organisation, and you could not get everybody to see alike. It took some courage for the committee of a club to fly in the face of equally prominent men in other centres who as yet unfortunately had not begun to realise what a cruel practice it was they were supporting. They should give their sincere thanks to the Hon. G. M. Thomson for his efforts and also to the Gun Club for realising that what the society advocated was thoroughly sound, and would, he trusted, eventually come to be universal. — (Applause.) The only other matter in the report that called for comment by him was the notification that a new society had been formed in North Otago. They had dealt with that quite fully in the report, and it was hardly necessary that Jie should say much more in connection with it. There was not a member of their committee who did not honestly believe that there was no occasion for. the formation of a new society in Oamaru. Their society had done its duty just as well and thoroughly and effectively in the North Otago dis-

trict as it had in other parts of the provincial district of Otago. Not only that, but it was recognised by the people of North Otago that they had done their duty. There was really no cause for the inauguration of a new society in North Otago because the Otago Society could thoroughly well cover the district. They might be asked, and probably would be, to define their boundaries, making a dividing line between their district and that

covered by the North Otajo society. Speaking for himself, he said they must have no boundary, but must carry on their work as they, had done in the past, effectively and to the entire satisfaction cf the residents of North Otago. In the large increase of over 80 members dur'ng the past year it was gratifying to ne able to tell them that a fair number of these came from Oamaru and the North Otago district. That added to what Mr Craig had told him, was sufficient proof that there was no need to bring into existence a new and small and what he felt would be an ineffective society. He would like to speak differently on this subject, but he could not. A society required to have an inspector and a thoroughly conpetent man, and money for that would have to be raised from a wider district than Norih Otago. While he hoped there might be some good effected by the establishment of the new society he could hot nelp feeling that it was unfortunate that it had been established. The balance sheet was as usual a satisfactory one. They were paying their way with a little naiance to the good at the end of the year. tie had no doubt they would continue to lo so so long as they had-so active an inspector and collector of new subscribers as Mr Craig.—(Applause.) He moved the adoption of the annual report and balance

sheet. —(Applause.) The Mayor, Mr 11. L. Tapley, expressed his pleasure in seconding the motion. Wp should congratulate ourselves, lie said, that wo had such a society in our midst doing so much good in the province. Huy weie particularly fortunate in having as an inspector Mr Craig—(applause) —and it was gratifying to note tbe fairly substantial increase in membership. That increase had been going on from year to year and the society was going ahead all the time. Sir George Miad referred to the fact that the number of cases inquired into had not been so numerous as in past years. He thought that was in a very large measure owing to the propaganda put out by this society. People were being educated to the fact that cruelty to dumb animals could not be permitted, and that if a case were found out it would be dealt with very teverely. People were getting more humane ideas of the treatment, of animals. The lectures that were being given in the schools were well worthy of being followed up and supported. He had not had opportunity to consider the formation of the North Otago Society, but, personally, he should say it would be a good thing if North Otago would undertake to do the work in their own district

thoroughly and satisfactorily Until they knew that that was the case he agreed that it was necessary that they should maintain their work in North Otago. He hoped the time might come when North Otago might be able to convince them that they were able thoroughly to supervise the North Otago district and relieve this society of responsibility there. This was tbe last opportunity he would have as Mayor to attend their annual meeting, and he had been very glad indeed to have been associated with the society. He wished it abundant success in the splendid and noble work it. was carrying out. —(Applause.) The. Rev. W. Saunders, speaking of the work of educating people in the necessitv of showing kindness to animals, <aid they should recognise the help given them by the two Dunedin newspapers. He thought there was still need for education, especially in the country places, and from bis own observation he believed there was a great deal of cruelty in chaining dogs, if not for the entire day, then, for all but a small part, of it— He suggested that further education might be given in the form or radio broadcast talks that would reach the outlying places. Sir. George had led the wav in this 12 months ago, and it might, be possible to arrange for a series of addresses. ►- The motion was carried.

Ul' rKtOIUBA A . In proposing the re-election of the- retiring president. Sir George Fenwick, MrTapley said Sir George had presided over tho society for a great. number of years. : lie hoped that for many more years he would occupy that position. He had always been, an active worker and interested himself most, energetically in the affairs of tho society. As far as he had any knowledge the position was unique in the history of any society in New Zealand, for this was the 46th vear that Sir George had been at its head. Sir . George was .to be congratulated on having led the society for so many years.—(Applause.) Tho motion was carried with hearty acclamation Sir George, in responding, said,he had not been president for 46 years. His Honor Mr Justice Williams occupied that position for a time, and he (Sir George) was acting chairman during the presidency of Sir Joshua. Sir Joshua took a very warm interest in the society and never failed to attend its annual meetings and speak helpfully. Possibly next year lie might ask to" bo relieved of office, but if he were in thoroughly good Health perhaps he would change his mu*«T. — (Applause.) THE OFFICE-BEARERS.

The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: —President, Sir George Fenwick; vice-presidents —Rev. W. Saunders, Messrs Crosby Morris, and W. D. Snowball; committee—Mrs Porteous, Miss Porteous, his Worship the Mayor, J. Sheppard. T. Elliott, A. Chesney, P. Johnson J. Brown, S; P. Leith. J. M'Gregor, D. M'Lennan (Heriot), P. Briscoe (Waitati), A. D. Sutherland. On the motion of Mr W. D. Snowball, the following were re-elected hon. solicitors: —Messrs Calvert and Brugh, Hislop, 'Lang and Paterson, Mr W. L. Moore, Mr A. C. Hanlon. Messrs White, Ramsay and Barrowclough, Mr A. G. Neill, Messrs Solomon, Gascoigne and Sinclair,- Mr J., C. Stephens, Mr A. Duncan, Messrs Adam Bros , Mr B. S. Irwin (Dunedin), Mr R. M'Gregor (Balclutha), Mr J. A. Walter (Balclutha), Mr A. G. Creagh (Camara) Mr P. O. Hjorring (Oamaru), Mr E. P. Lee (Oamaru), Mr R. C. Moore (Lawrence). Mr W. A. Bodkin (Alexandra), Mr R. G* Roy (Port Chalmers), Mr A, M. Brodrick (Cromwell), Mr R. M. Rutherford (Milton). Mr G. H. Thomson (Milton), Mr W. C. Arkle (Palmerston), Mr J. A. Moyle (Heriot), Mr J. Fraser (Naseby),

Mr W. A. Harlow (Clyde). Messrs Naylor and Parcell (Tapanui), Mr R. Gilkison, junior (Queenstown). On the motion of Mr Sutherland, Messrs W. D. _ Snowball (Dunedin), P. M’Gregor (Dunedin), T. Cunningham (Oamaru). D.. Marshall (Balclutha) were re-elected the hon. veterinary surgeons. Mr W. F. Sligo was re-elected as hon. treasurer, and Messrs W. Brown and Co. were reappointed auditors at the same reas formerly. On the motion of the Rev. W. Saunders, the thanks of the meeting were expressed to Sir George Fenwick for presiding, and to the Mayor (Mr 11. L. Tapley) for the use of the council chambers.