S.P.C.A.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 511, 29 September 1915, Page 9

S.P.C.A.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held last night, Mr J. H. Howell presiding over a good attendance. .

The annual report stated that it was impossible to chronicle all the instances where the representations of the society had been required to interpose on behalf of animals in minor offences of cruelty. It was regrettable that the number of cautions administered and prosecutions undertaken showed no diminution, compared with, the previous year. At the same time, the committee believed that there were fewer cases of cruelty in the city streets, and that the general public was concerned to 'prevent and alleviate suffering as fully as they, are able to do. Notwithstanding that the protracted drought was making the price of stock feed almost beyond the means of carriers, traders, and others, the feeding of horses had been most commendable, their appearance bearing excellent testimony to the consideration with which animals were regarded in this province. There was need for the erection of large, open drinking troughs for horses and dogs in the city. The society would like to erect them, but was unable to do so, for want of money, and it was hoped that the City Council might be led to recognise the need, and provide for it. The Christchurch railway staff was commended for its refusal to accept for transit crowded poultry crates. The maintenance of the Animals' Home was justified by the fact that 81 stray dogs and 61 stray cats had been received, fed, and tended there. The institution was also much appreciated by owners of animals temporarily absent from the city. The thanks of the society was due to the newspapers, the Railway Department, the honorary auditor, and friends in town and country for the assistance given; to the Magistracy for support accorded; the police for its sympathetic and efficient aid; and the mi lusters of religion for their efforts to proclaim from the pulpits the duty of men to be just to animals. The committee deplored the removal, by death, of its vice-presidents, the Right Rev. Bishop Grimes and the Hon. E. C. J. Stevens, M.L.C. The inspector's report slated that the winter had been a particularly severe one with animals, and he had

been lenient with a number ot'j owners of horses who meant well, bat were handicapped owing to the price of feed and their limited means. FINANCE. The Animals' Home Account showed receipts amounting to £ll7 7/3, against an expenditure of £l2B j 5/8. ' , I

The treasurer's statement showed the receipts for the year to have been £4lB 2/6, of which amount £144 14/7 was derived from subscriptions, and the balance from interest on deposits, receipts from the Animals' ITome, and £IOO withdrawn from deposit. The expenditure amounted to £353 19/9, leaving a credit-balance cf £33 11/2. The statement of assets and liabilities showed assets amounting to £4OO and liabilities £ls 5/-.

J Mr Howell congratulated the comuiittee on having presented so sat'iliac tory a report of good work done. It was obvious, he said, that much self restraint had been exercised by the officers of the society in not having prosecuted a larger number of those who had been cautioned. He regretted that more attention was not being given by school teachers to the inculcating of kindness and sympathy for animals in Ihe minds of the children. ! The report and balance-sheet were adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The officers elected for the ensuing year were as follow:—-Patrons, Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Liverpool; lady-president, Mrs MurrayAy nsley ; vice-presidents, Bishop Julius, the Rev. Chancellor Price, Sir

Charles Bowen, Hons. R. H. Rhodes and G. W. Russell, his Worship the Mayor, Messrs H. G. Ell, M.P., Dr Th acker, M.P., L. M. Isitt, M.P., J. H. Howell, and G. Wells; committee, Mr A. E. Turner, Mrs E. Cross, Mrs Atkinson, Miss H. M. Cocks, Messrs T. C. Field, D. B. McLaren, J. C. Lord, J. Spillar, E. H. Cross, J. W. Watson, 11. P. Bridge, J. H. Parker, C. Gv McKellar, J. S. Atkinson, W. J. Trustturn, and F. Marrie; honorary solicitors, Messrs Dougall and Upham, Christchurch, Duncan and Cotterill and Co., Christchurch, Helmore and van Asch, Rangiora, W. Papprill, Kaiapoi, and C. W. Purnell, Ashburton; hon. secretary, Mr J. S. Atkinson; hon. treasurer, Mr W. J. Trustturn; hon. auditor, Mr W. H. Cheesman, F.R.A.; inspector, Mr R. L. Weir; collector, Mrs E. Cross.