PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIAMLS

Southland Times, Issue 17699, 10 July 1914, Page 6

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIAMLS

SOUTHLAND SOCIETY’S ANNUAL MEETING. The first annual meeting of the southland Society for the Prevention of ITuelty to Animals, was held in Allen’s Mall last evening. Mr J. U. Mc-G. Watson presiding. . In moving the adoption ot the report and balance-sheet Mr Watson said that the Society’s work for the first year was -very satisfactory, the membership having increased from a few up to 221, It had been a great pleasure to be associated with the members of the committee, who had attended to their duties with great punctuality, and it had been his privilege to be in the cbalr. It was t erv satisfactory to know that the Society had a credit balance, especially for the first year, when the difficulties were more acute. What was more important, however, was the moral progress that had been made. The Society was indebted to the inspector for his work. A number of cases lor cruelty 1-ad been dealt with, and in all of these convictions had been recorded. Many of them had been first offenders, and the Society had not pressed for punishment, but it'was found that the lesson had a -very salutary effect. Cruelty to animals eften arose from neglect and a warning •usually took effect, especially if given hv the inspector, who had power behind him. The inspector had been greatly helped in his work by children, and it was not an uncommon tiling for i child in point out a case of cruelty. It vas necessary that cases should be pointed nut to him ns in- had a wide an-a t• * e-vi-r. The Society did not wish to encourage fault-rinding only in cases where aid should he invoked, and it did Tea do to aih-nr an attitude of aggress .on. Tin- Vcn. Archdeacon Pack-; had pri-nci '-,] :l sf-rmon on t'o- aims and nbi ts of the Society, nnd he was sure to.at rills had done ri goal amount of good. ile moved Ho- adoption of the rp-T.-ori and balance . slo-*-t whli confidence, for although the year had been a moderate one still a very good beginning had been made. If the Society could inculcate the sacred duly of kindness into the younger generation its work would not be in vain. Mr I. I. Petrie seconded the motion, and also spoke of the valuable work of the Society. The report is as follows: —"The committee have pleasure in presenting the first annual report, and while the year's operations financially do not show to very great advantage the work done has 1,,-i-n good, and has proved that there v. as need for the formation of the So- < iety. From the inspector’s report it v\ ill he gathered that the treatment of animals generally and of horses in pnr-th-ulnr has been greatly improved. Several cases have been brought before the Court, and in every instance our action has been .iu-t.ifie I The public lias rcrponded wen to the rail for funds, and it is. expected that during the ensuing year the response will be even bettor. The membership stii :, -N at 221. two of these being life menders. The Society is! much indebted the New Zealand Rail-1 -way Department for a free ticket for the inspector over the Southland railways. Meantime the aims and objects of the Society are earnestly commended to the sympathetic and practical assistance of the genera! public.” The l-.:!.;t:-e - shed showed the receipt- ■ tio- Society to have been £SG Is I.!. ;■ ad tip- expenditure £is2 Is lid, lea’. Hi.; a credit balance of £2 2s Sd. 7: - lep.jrt ai.a balance - sheet were tthup t— I. T:.r Inipeetor of the Society. Mr Robson. .-at* mil tea a i .-port wnioh .stated t'-at .-•■ vent;-it-■>- oases of alleged cru-it,.- had i-c-;u investigated by him. Tour offenders hud been prosecuted and convicted. 5 had not been proceeded with because of Insufficient evidence, while C" persons pad been cautioned for of-fctio-j --uch as overcrowding poultry ! • •' p!g; ir os, overdriving horses. vc i c .-vci j ng r.ritb in trucks, and other r.cti 'n- of a -imiiar nature. Sinc-c his a ;-poi nt in*-r:t h>- had visited Queenstown, Kingston, i_madden -Riverton.

Bluff. Mataura. Wyndham and Woodlands and had enrolled members wheroever possible. He was pleased to state that nearly all were in sympathy with the work of the Society, and majty had responded to the appeal for funds. Ho felt sure that the influence of the Society was now being felt throughout Southland, and hoped to be able during the coming year to secure the muchneeded assistance from country friends. He wished to make special mention of the assistance rendered to him by the police, whenever he had occasion to appeal to them. The report was adopted. The election of office - bearers resulted as follows:—Patron. Mr 1). McEarlane: president. Mr .7. 1... McG. Watson: committee, Messrs T. Pryde, Jas. Hunter. J. C. Smith I". W. Bicknell. 11. .1. Parrant. In accordance with the rules of the Society. Misses Rowley and Smith were also appointed to the committee. Auditor. Mr Geo. Peatherstone. It was decided that it he a recommendation to the incoming committee that the clergy throughout Southland be invited to preach sermons on the subject of the Society's aims.