PREVENTION OF CRUELTY

Otago Witness, Issue 4041, 25 August 1931, Page 72

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY

MEETING OF OTAGO SOCIETY. The executive of the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held on Tuesday afternoon, the Rev. W. Saunders presiding. There were also present Mrs Porteous, Messrs S. P. Leith, J. Brown, A. D. Sutherland, J. S. Nelson, and W. Stewart. A letter was received from the chairman of the Auckland society, stating that within the past 10 days the New Zealand Gun Club Association’s championship meeting had been held at Hamilton, and a live pigeon handicap had been included in the programme. This had caused considerable agitation, and the matter had been taken up by the Auckland society. Mr G. M. Thomson, M.L.C., had been requested to reintroduce his Bill prohibiting the shooting of live birds from traps, and this he had consented to do. The Auckland society would be glad if the Otago society would do all in its power to assist in bringing about the passing of the Bill.—The secretary reported that he had written to all local members of Parliament urging them to assist in having Mr Thomson’s Bill passed, and his action was approved. —Advice was received that the Bill had been passed by the Legislative Council, and was ready for introduction into the House of Representatives.—Promises of support to the Bill were received from Messrs F. Waite, M.P., and D. M'Dougall, M.P., and letters stating that they would give the society's representations full consideration were forwarded by the Minister of Agriculture (Mr A. J. Murdoch) and the Minister of Public Works (Mr W. B. Taverner). —Sir Charles Statham wrote stating that be was afraid the Bill would have little chance of being passed, but that he would make representations to the Government on the matter.

The secretary (Mr E. S. Wilson) reported that he had again seen the town clerk in regard to the free pass on the trams for the society's inspector, and the town clerk had suggested that written application be made to the council. The secretary reported that he had forwarded a letter making formal application for a pass.—The secretary's action was approved. The secretary of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union acknowledged receipt of the society’s letter of July 22 requesting support for the society’s protest against the Railway Department's cutting out of the speciai stock train on Tuesdays. When the union executive, in conjunction with the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, had given evidence to the Royal Commission on Railways it had stressed the absolute necessity of continuing special stock trains. —The inspector reported that since the society's complaint the train had been running up to time. The clerk of the court advised that the society's inspector (Mr J. J. Hindicliffe) had been appointed a special constable in compliance with the society's request.

Accounts amounting to £29 7s 7d were passed for payment. The inspector reported that he had secured 36 new subscribers, which was considered yery satisfactory. The inspector’s report, in which he referred to a number of cases which he had investigated and dealt with, was submitted to the meeting and approved.