S.P.C.A.

Southland Times, Issue 20664, 20 April 1929, Page 12

S.P.C.A.

QUARTERLY MEETING.

MORE ASSISTANCE REQUIRED.

The quarterly meeting of the executive committee of the S.P.C.A. was held last evening, when there was a fair attendance of members presided over by Mr H. J. Tarrant.

The inspector’s monthly report showed that thirteen cases of alleged cruelty had been inquired into viz., working horses suffering from open sores 2; working horses in a weak state 2; working horses suffering from lameness 1; failing to supply animals with sufficient water 1; keeping pigs in a filthy state 1; charges not sustained 6. The seven cases proved were dealt with by issuing a caution to the persons concerned. There were no very serious charges in the list.

The hon. secretary (Mr H. H. Royds) presented a statement of the financial position which showed that the society with its present membership was not holding its own.

The chairman further explained the position and emphasized the necessity of enrolling more members. Though it was quite good business to raise money by special outside efforts, he was of opinion that the proper method of financing the society should be by membership subscriptions. The expenses were kept clown to a minimum and where outgoings could not be reduced the only alternative was to increase the income. There was at present a debit balance of £l7, whereas at the corresponding period last year the society was £l3 in credit, thus showing a falling off of £3O. He was of opinion that if the needs of the society were made known support would be forthcoming as there must be a large number of people interested in the work. A suggestion was made that an active canvass be immediately undertaken with the object of putting the society on a sound financial basis. This was agreed to and the subcommittee were authorized to arrange details of canvass and to put same into operation.

During the discussion it was shown that Inspector Duqcan, besides faithfully carrying out his ihajor duties with regard to detecting, investigating and reporting cases of cruelty, also did effective work in collecting members’ subscriptions. Since May 31 last he had collected £l7l from 459 members, and he was still busy in the country districts endeavouring to raise further money before the close of the financial year.