PROTECTION OF ANIMALS

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1926, Page 9

PROTECTION OF ANIMALS

TARANAKI ACTIVITIES ANNUAL MEETING OF SOCIETY. OPERATIONS OF THE PAST YEAR. The annual meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held last night, Mr. R. C. Hughes presiding over a small attendance. The annual report stated that during the past year the society had maintained its reputation for good service in relation to the welfare of animals. A great many cases of alleged cruelty or neglect had been investigated and many prosecutions followed, in nearly all of which convictions had resulted. As the society became better known the number of complaints from various districts increased. In most cases the inspector at once visited the locality, however far off and regardless of expense, and inquired into the complaint. His appearance on the scene caused no little excitement. Especially was this the case on the occasion of an early morning visit to a dairy factory. Hardships to animals while being conveyed by rail had not escaped attention. Much indignation was felt at Hawera at the alleged suffering inflicted on newlyborn calves while being railed. The prosecution in this case failed. Another such case of hardship w T as the treatment of pigs. It often happened that a train with one or more truckloads of pigs pulled up at a station for the night unable to proceed to its destination. The pigs were turned out into a yard, where they remained without shelter and without food until the following day, when the train resumed its journey. In one case the pigs arrived at a station at 2 p.m. and remained in a shelterless yard during the cold, wet weather with a south-west wind blowing without food until 5 p.m. on the following day. The subject had been brought to the attention of the Minister for Railways, who was investigating the complaint. It seemed strange that owners of animals did not make provision for such delays. An important gathering of delegates from the various societies of the Dominion took place at Dunedin during the exhibition period. In the conference which ensued useful work was done, and it was hoped that some remedial legislation will follow. To Mr. J. A. Forbes, of Oamaru, great credit is due for his efforts to make known the objects of such societies as our own and to promote their interests. To him was chiefly due the success of “animal welfare week,” which was held during the year throughout the Dominion. The balance-sheet showed that the society, after paying all outgoings for the year, had a balance of £l7 10s 2d to its credit. The thanks of the society were due to the inspector of police and his staff for their prompt and cheerful assistance on all occasions; also tn their energetic and experienced inspector, to the honorary veterinary surgeons for their services, and also to the Press for their sympathy and help, and finally to all those who had assisted the society by their subscriptions. The report was adopted. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Patron, Dr. G. Horae; president, Mr. R. C. Hughes; vice-presi-dent, the Ven. Archdeacon Evans; committee, Mesdames Earp, Bayly, Mackay, Misses Curtis, Fairhall, Messrs. Sanford, Grace, Sceats, D. P. Evans, J. Thomas and Dr. Brewster, with power to add; secretary and treasurer, Mr. E. L. Humphries; auditor, Mr. E. Lash; lion, veterinary surgeons, Mr. R. B. Woods and Colonel Young. It was suggested by Mr. J. Sceats that a concert be held as in other centres in order to improve the society’s finances and that a recommendation be made In that direction to the incoming committee. Honoraria were voted to the secretary and inspector, and votes of thanks passed as mentioned in the report.