PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

Southland Times, Issue 17483, 26 July 1915, Page 6

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

ANNUAL MEETING OF .SOCIETY. The annual meeting: of the Southland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held on Saturday, the president (Mr J. I >. JleG. Watson) presiding over an attendance of fifteen members. IXSPECTOE'S REPORT. The Inspector (Mr R. W. Robson) presented the following report:—There were 75 cases of alleged cruelty investigated. Three persons were prosecuted and convicted, and three cases were dismissed. Sixty-four warnings were given regarding the following offences; Working lame horses, IS: overdriving horses, 15; working horses in weak state, 5; keeping horses in exposed position without shelter and feed, 5; working horses on hard road without shoes until lame, 6; keeping cattle without sufficient food or water, 4: keeping eaws unmilked at shows and saleyards, 6; overcrowding poultry in crates, 4; kicking dogs, 3; S4. I have visited different centres at various times, also the saleyards, endeavouring to increase the membership of the Society and to help the welfare of the animals. While the Society’s influence is now being felt and appreciated by the humane and thinking public, it is to be regretted that we failed to obtain convictions in the two prosecutions for lameness in horses which were submitted to the S.M. some time ago. I have to thank all those whom 1 have had te appeal to for funds te carry eu the good work. Owners of animals and employers are now becoming our strongest supporters, as they now realise that the Society wishes to protect animals from abuse. Drivers are held responsible for the condition of the animals in ♦hair charge. I may mention that tiu» 1

police have been of great assistance whenever I had occasion to appeal to them botli in town and country. The balance-sheet showed, with the balance of 3s Sd brought forward from the previous year, that receipts amounted to £S3 17s 2d. Subscriptions accounted for £7O 7s 3d; collection at the show, £2 •is Sd, and savings bank interest, Is 7d. On the expenditure side the following were th© items; Inspector's salary, £7S; inspector's expenses, 6s; court costa, £1 7s; advertising, 15s: printing, £1 12s 6d, leaving a balance at the bank of £1 16s Sd. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said that the item of court costs was a most unusual one to debit the Society with, as it really meant the fining of the Society. That judgment had deterred the Inspector from bringing' further cases before the court. The year had been a fairiy busy one. and they now had a. membership of 350. Their inspector had devoted a lot of time to the work, and he certainly had been very industrious. In each of 64 cases it was thought that a warning would be sufficient, and three convictions had been secured and three cases had been dismissed. The activity of the Society had had a healthy moral effect, and could claim to have prevented cruelty to animals having been repeated. The terrible war that was raging had affected people’s pockets a great deal, and, although the subscription was a, small one, the Society’s finances had suffered. He looked forward to the future for a good deal of help and with a good deal of hope, and believed that people were now exercising mo\e care in the treatment of animals. There was a great deal of room for improvement, however, and the education of young people should be one of the most, important functions of the Society. Children should be taught so that they would grow up possessing humane feelings, and to be kind to dumb animals.

Mrs Leo Cowie seconded the motion, and mentioned that she had seen cows on the show grounds suffering to such an extent that the torture they were enduring would not permit her to enjoy the show. She paid a tribute to the work done by the Inspector and hoped that in the future more support would be given him. Sister Moody Bell supported the motion. and expressed pleasure at the chairman's idea of educating the children. She had been told that there was a great deal of cruelty on farms owing to children not. having been educated. For instance, there were cases of rabbits being allowed to remain in traps longer than was necessary.

Mr F. W. Bicknell also supported the motion, and said that there was no doubt that the Society acted as a strong deterrent. He would like to see the income doubled. The Society had amply justified its existence. Inspector Robson said that ho was very glad that they had credited his efforts with having been successful. In the matter of the show he had withdrawn an information, but he. intended to bring the matter up again. Unfortunately, the A. and P. Society had taken up a stand which had surprised him. He referred to the cases that had been dismissed by the Magistrate, and justified his action in bringing them forward. The position of Inspector should be made a more independent one, and. if more interest was taken in the Society, it might make a great difference in the Society's' work. Southland was entitled to have Gore included in it. The Dunedin Society claimed Gore, and did not seem inclined to give it up. The question was. Would he annex Gore? That place could be worked better by thg Southland Society. The motion was carried. OFFICE-BEARERS. The election of office-bearers resulted a.s follows: —Patron. His Worship the Mayor (Mr D. McFarlanc) ; president, Mr J. L. McG. Watson; vice-presidents, Messrs C. S. Longuet and F. W. Bicknell: secretary and treasurer, Mr J. T. Prain; committee. Sister Moody Bell; Mrs L. Taylor, and Messrs Pryde, Jas. Hunter, G. I. Moffett and John Mathieson (Kennington) ; auditor. Mr Jas. Hunter. OTHER BUSINESS. It was decided to have tile Society registered under the Unclassified Societies Act. In reply to the chairman, the Inspector said that he would be quite prepared to canvass the whole of Southland. The business people in the town had been very good, but, so far, he had not been able to extract much from the farming community.—On the suggestion of the chairman, it was moved by Messrs Bicknell and Howard and carried, that the ‘ question of extending the operations of the Society be left to the incoming committee, and that arrangements be made to take in the Gore district. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr Howard, that the committee make representation to the A. and P. Society in the matter of the treatment of milk cows at its shows. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the chairman, on the motion of Mr Hunter, who made eulogistic comment regarding the work done by Mr Watson for the Society.