WORK FOR THE SOCIETY FOE THE PREVENTION OF OR CELTY TO ANIMALS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7267, 21 July 1893, Page 4

WORK FOR THE SOCIETY FOE THE PREVENTION OF OR CELTY TO ANIMALS.

[to the editor.] Sib,—With your permission I would direct those sympathetic gentlemen’s attention to channels that, strange to say, they have entirely overlooked, or perhaps I might more reasonably conclude to places where owing to their station in life they have not hitherto had an opportunity of looking- In the first place T would ask them to go in tbe garb of a workman and get a job on some of the sheep* stations during the cutting and tailing season, and see what they can see. I would next ask them to go along with me into some of the gravel pits or olay cuttings. It will be necessary that they should not be too particular about getting their clothes soiled or their polished boots covered with mud if they wish to do their duty as Christian philanthropists. As they come, in sight they will observe the fearful pace at which the men are working to earn a fortune; no, nothing of the sort, but a subsistence. Look at the poor wretches’ perspiration pouring off them, see their waists and legs, they are quite wet right through their clothing, look into their bands, some are hard and horny as the gentleman’s walking stick, others are covered with blisters. These poor animals have been out of work lately. Their hands were soft, but work they must until their hands get better, or what is to become of tbe poor wife and bairns. Truly these gentlemen should see to it that someone be punished for cruelty of this kind, and this in tbe midst of top ooats, furs, warm gloves, and so many luxuries we see others of the same species enjoying. I would now direct their attention to a contractor’s or ploughman’s camp at 5 a.m. We hear lots of complaints about the mill whistle disturbing tbe rest of the comfortable ones at 6 a.m., but let us go and see the poor ploughman rising off bis bed of straw, struggling to drees himself in a halfsitting half-lying pasture, now shoving bis feet into wet and muddy boots, and no dainty carpet, ,no comfortable dressing table or toilet sets here; but out into the surrounding mud ankle deep, with a cold wintry wind blowing enough to perish one, having to feed, clean, and harness the horses as best may, perhaps dark as pitch; then struggling to light a fire with a portion of their straw bed and some dead gorge. On goes the billy with water from tbe same waterbole that tbe horses drink out of. When breakfast is "cooked,” no tables or chairs here, but an old sack or two serving as seat and tablecloth. 7 am. yoke up and get to work, knocking off in the evening at 5 p.m. Thus it is dark when tbe horses are fed, unharnessed, and their covers on. Then in the dark again these poor miserable wretches must go through the miserable process of trying to cook themselves food to eat. Truly you would think the comfortable and comfort-loving philanthropist might direct his energy »o relieve this poor animal, but no, thn poor tn vn has need to come into town with horses and dray ; his horses have no shoes on, they do not need them. Down comes the friend of the 8.P.0 A. One horse has a slight sore. The horse had been turned out for a spell and had just probably done two days’ work since, his shoulders are soft an 1 have blistered, but alas the poor ploughman must suffer because he is a poor struggling creature. Truly yours is a bard lot. You well obey tbe command by the sweat of thy face shalt thou earn thy bread. I am, &c., Bittee Expbbibkcb.