BOBBY CALVES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21179, 28 October 1938, Page 5

BOBBY CALVES

Cruelty Deprecated S.P.C.A. Reviews Past Year Concern at the treatment of bobby calves in some quarters was expressed at a meeting of the Committee following the twenty-seventh annual meeting of the Timaru Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on Wednesday, and it was decided to refer the matter to the South Canterbury Bobby Calf Committee. The president, Mr N. M. Orbell, occupied the chair at the annual meeting, at which there was a small, attendance of members. Annual Report The annual report, presented by the president, read as follows: “It is with extreme regret that we have to record the passing during the year of the Society’s patron, the late Mr P. C. Vlnnell, Mayor of Timaru. Mr Vlnnell was greatly interested in all philanthropic and humanitarian activities, and his patronage of our Society was greatly appreciated. “The detailed report of the inspector (Mr G. Gliddon) shows that he has given very fully of his available time to the Society’s service. In addition to the activities recorded in the Inspection report numerous cases have also been attended to by the honorary inspectors and the secretary, and it is worthy of note that a large percentage of the cases dealt with by the Society are not concerned so much with the actual prevention of deliberate cruelty as with relief of pain and suffering. This is a definite service to the community which we consider is deserving of greater recognition.

“The balance-sheet shows an excess of assets over liabilities of £626/14/6, as against £598/2/3 at the end of last year, an Increase of £3B/12/3. As this includes the sum of £75, being the third instalment from the trustees of the late Miss Culverwell it will be seen that income from subscriptions and interest has been £36/7/9 less than was required to carry on the work of the Society. “I should like to express the Committee's thanks to all honorary officers of the Society for their valued assistance, also to the press and the police for their co-operation during the year, and my personal thanks to members of the Committee for their support and co-operation during my term of office.” The report and balance-sheet were adopted on the motion of the president and Mr R. G. Sampson. Increasing Public Confidence In reviewing the past year's operations, the inspector, Mr G. Gliddon, who stated that he had attended to 160 cases during the twelve months, remarked that it was pleasing to report the increasing confidence of the public in notifying cases of cruelty and to comment on the individual help received, which proved that the work of the Society was more appreciated each year. During the past 12 months he had visited most of the districts and saleyards in South Canterbury, and was sorry to say that on the whole he had not found the stock In good condition as in the previous year, which was probably due to the variable season. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted as follows:—Patron: The Mayor, Mr W. G. Tweedy (subject to consent); president, Mr N. M. Orbell (re-elected); vice-president, Mr F. F. Neale (reelected); committee, Mesdames T. E. Holdgate, M. Harper, F. Barker, J. Wordsworth, Miss Gaitt, Messrs A. E. Lewis, R. Stout, S. Razell Wood, W. J. Black, A. S. Elworthy, C. W. Newcombe, and R. J. Sampson; honorary inspectors, Messrs A. E. Lewis and F. Owers; hon. veterinary surgeons, Messrs W. Smith and C. H. Williamson; hon. auditor, Mr H. H. Fraser; hon. solicitor, Mr W. D. Campbell. Impounding Straying Dogs At the subsequent meeting of the newly-elected committee, the inspector reported that 12 cases had been dealt with since the previous meeting. The inspector, Mr G. Gliddon, and the honorary inspector, Mr A. E. Lewis, reported that they had recently conferred with the Mayor (Mr W. G. Tweedy) and the borough officials in regard to the impounding of stray dogs. The Society made every effort to prevent dogs being destroyed if there were any possibility of finding a home for them, and, during the past year, homes had been found for 25 animals. It appeared that dog owners were still ignorant of the fact that unregistered dogs were liable to be impounded, but the fact that most of those seized were in good condition showed that they came from good homes. Arising from the inspector’s report a fairly long discussion ensued in regard to bobby calves. Reports had been received indicating that they were tied to fences alongside the roads, and in some cases there was not sufficient chain or rope to allow the animals to lie down. In other instances the rope was tied far too tightly round the necks of the animals.

The secretary (Mr H. Sinclair-Thom-son) was instructed to write to the South Canterbury Bobby Calf Committee pointing out the state of affairs, which was considered most unsatisfactory, and urging that pens with shelter be provided for the calves, instead of the animals being tied to rails or fences as was the case at a number of collecting points.