CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13050, 9 March 1911, Page 2

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

ANNUAL MEETING OIA Till!) . SOCIETY: The annual meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty ti) Animals was held at Messrs Rout and Sons' board room yesterday afternoon. His I.crdship the Bishop (President of the Society) owipicd the chair. In the annual report thanks were expressed to the newspapers (for the publication of paragraphs), to the police (for their incrcasd activity in regard to animals), to Messrs Miigi.nnity and Sou (honorary solicitors), to Mr It. Kingsh'y (honorary auditor), and to Messrs Rout and Sons (for the use of meeting room), It was mentioned that three informations had bc«sn laid against offenders for cruelty to animalsj and in each case a conviction was recorded. A suggestion was made that tin? clergymen iii^ the city should set apart a day to i>e called "Animal Sunday," when sermons reminding persons of their duty to a.nimals should h-j preached. Tho membership of the Society was now about 100. Complaints of persons working lame and drorepit animals had come before the Society, and cautions had prevented a g;:cd deal of cruelty, while four animals had lxvn destroyed. There had also been complaints ' of overloading and consequent under feeding in the country districts. Regret was expressed that more young proplc were not coming forward to join tho Hand of Mercy, a most important bra.neli of the work. Regret was expressed at the death of Messrs J. Gaukrodger and G. Talbot. The balance sheet showed a credii balance, of £14 16" s lid. The report and balance sheet were, read and adopted. Officers were then ctlected as follows : President, His Lordship the Bishop of Nelson; vice-presidents, Mrs Gibbs, Misses It. Atkinson and Gnseoigne. Rev J.. P. Kemptliorlie, Messrs W. 'I*. Bond, H. Baigent, C. K. Molrsworth : general committee, Mesd-imes H. Haigent, It. S. Booth, Bett, Messrs A. H. Bisley, N. A. McLaren, W. W. Snodgrass, H. S. Gipps, R. I. Kingsley, R. Watson,. R, D. Martin, and F. V. Knapp ; inspection committee, Messrs It, Watson, H. B. Walker, \V. W. Snodgrass, N. A. McLaren, C V.. M.olesworth, and T. Newman ; hou■crary solicitors, Messrs Maginnitv and Son; lion auditor, MrR. i. Kingsley : lion veterinary surgeons, Messrs J. Gay and V. Gianville: lion seeretarv and treasurer, Mr 11. V. West: inspector, Mr H, F. West. The President expressed regret that Mr C. E. Molesworth had been compelled to resign from the secretaryship of the Society, and he spoke appreciatively of Mr Moleswnrth's past services. On the President's motion it was resolved that the cordial thank:-; of the Society bo given to Mr C. E Molesworth for the unstinted labour;1 which he has for a long time expended on its behalf, and that he shouli' be compelled by the state of his health to withdraw from the position of secretary and treasurer, which he has lillee to the satisfaction of the members and the great advantage of the Society. Oii the motion of Mossrs Martin am: Knapp it was decided to set up a committee to form a Band of Mercy in connection with the Society. The seconder stated that he intended to establish a branch of th« Band in connection with the Girls' Central School. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr McLaren, seconded by Mr Snodgrass, that the members of the general committee be authorised to convass foi members and subscriptions. Several other matters were deaH with and the meeting closed with r vote of thanks to the Chairman.