AN “INVENTION”

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16200, 25 November 1926, Page 8

AN “INVENTION”

UPROAR THAT NEVER OCCURRED (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. By to-day's English mail tho Christchurch Star received the following letter from the Hon. Stephen Coleridge: “Sir, —In your paper of June 7 you have a description of tho annual meeting of the R.iS.P.C.A. You allude to the remarks of Lord Banbury (from the chair), who brought into the discussion tiie King and Prince of Wales. In my opinion this was quite improper and unfair. No ono at the meeting had the slightest intention of, attacking the Prince of Wales, for whom everyone has a loyal and oven affectionate regard, but if reformers are never to attempt to put an end to a, practice because some illustrious and admirable persons indulge in it. there is no abuse or questionable practice in all history that would not have secured immunity from, criticism. Finally, your account states that the meeting closed in an uproar. Tin’s is an entire invention. Nothing of the kind occurred. On the contrary, at, the conclusion of the debate I myself proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman and the meeting closed in the most friendly manner. I think it is to bo regretted that ft mischievous invention of an uproar that never occurred should bo spread about New Zealand.” The report to which fho letter refers to was a Press Association cablegram from London reporting a meeting at which it. was stated that a motion hy the Hon. Stephen Coleridge was carried regretting that the society had refused Mrs Sarah Crove-Grady’s legacy oi £IO,OOO. Mr Coleridge also declared that hunting was distinctly cruel. Lord Banbury said that terms of the legacy rendered its acceptance impossible. They must get rid of the King, who was the society’s patron and (lie Prince oi Wales, who was president, in order to accept the legacy, as the King was fond of shooting and the Prince was an ardent. huntsman. From a newspaper article accompanying Mr Coleridge’s letter to tho Star it appears that the motion was lost- by five votes. There was no discord or uproar at llto meeting.