SAFE FROM MAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 655, 6 May 1929, Page 11

SAFE FROM MAN

ANIMAL SANCTUARY PLAN UPSET BEQUEST HELD INVALID The validity of a bequest of about £200,000 to create a sanctuary for animals, birds, fish and other creatures “not human” was argued in thn Court’ of Appeal. It was held that such a bequest was invalid. Mrs. Sarah Martha Grove Grady left the residue of her estate to found a Beaumont Animals’ Benevolent So. ciety, for fhich a committee of antivivisectionists was to buy land as ■ sanctuary for wild birds, animals and other creatures not human. The Master of the Rolls said the trust offended against, the rule against perpetuities, and. unless it could be held a charitable trust, must fail. A refuge was to be provided where animals were to be free from the molestation of man. ’Within the sanctuary, however, animals were M he free to prey on one another. It did not, therefore afford any advantage to animals which were free from mankind, or any protection from cruelty to animals generally, nor did it denote any elevating influence on mankind. The appeal would be allowed, and the trust would fall. Lord Justice Russell agreed, bud Lord Justice Lawrence dissented. The primary object of Mrs. Grady, he said, was to protect animals from molestation or destruction by persons engaged in hunting, shooting and fishing. He thought that a reserve conducted on rational lines would d/i more toward cultivating a spirit of humanity and mercy toward the brute creation anj have a more elevating effect on human beings than mkny of the trusts in favour of animals which had been upheld as valid chari. table trusts, such, for instance, a 4 trusts to protect animals from vivi. section.