Protection of Women and Children.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XVII, 25 April 1903, Page 1181

Protection of Women and Children.

ANNCAL REPORT OF THE SOCIETY. Interesting particulars of the work achieved by the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Society for the Protection of Women and Children and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals arc given in the annual report of the committee, which was submitted on April 16 to the annual meeting. The report, after making reference to the loss sustained by the society in the death of tiie late Bishop Cowie, Mr <T. L. Wilson and Mrs Goodall, commented on the falling off of subscriptions, and continued:—’‘Just as our finances were getting into a critical condition we were cheered by the announcement that the trustees of the late Mr Bertram were prepared to hand us the sum of £279 17/6, being a legacy left to us by that gentleman. Of this sum £2OO lias been placed on fixed deposit, and the balance will have to be used to avert the otherwise inevitable deficit. The Ladies’ Committee is again entitl'd to our warmest thanks for the kind interest which the ladies have taken in the so-

ciety, and for their generous aid, which this year took the form of a grand concert, which by the kindness of our noble president was given in the ball-room of Government House, and resulted in the substantial sum of £5B 6/ being added to our income.”

Reviewing the work done in the year, the report states: “We find that in the protection of women and children department 242 cases have been dealt with, of which it '..as necessary to take 19 before the, B.M. Court, the decisions being invariably in our favour, thus demonstrating our care in bringing’ such cases forward. From the. nature of the work it would be difficult and inexpedient to go into details in a report like this, but Miss Porter (the secretary) is always please 1 to give every information as to the society’s work to anyone sufficiently interested to rail upon her at the society’s office in Palmerston buildings. During the

year wo hove obtained orders against husbands or putative fathers amounting to £338 3/10 per annum, besides £328 per annum arranged for privately. In the department for the prevention of cruelty to animals the society has had the services of Mr. Alder (the inspector) for the whole period under review, and as a result 374 cautions have been given cither verbally or by letter, while one case has been taken to Court: but the best testimony to the society’s work is to be found in the improved condition of the horses working in the streets. Of course the introduction of electric tram cars has enormously reduced the number of horses at work, and the labours of the society to a corresponding degree. This has enabled the in-pertur to devote more attention to the snipnient and transit ef horses, cattle. pigs, fowls, etc., both by land and water. The society’s printed warnings have lieeii placed at all railway stations and steamer landings in the pro vince, also in all auction sale rooms in the city, and all possible assistance has been rendered l.y the Railway Department and the officers of ihe various shipping companies. In uon.it el ion with this department a yard supplied with a water trough has been fenced oil’ in Quay street, where. travelling stock can rest in peace and be refre-lied with plenty of water. The cost of fencing, etc, was borne by Messrs. Buckland A Sons anti the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, all the arrangements having been carried out by the inspector (Air. Alder). Your committee is co-ope-rating with Southern branches of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals with a view’ to obtaining (if pos-

sible' a Government grant or subsidy in aid of the funds. It i< wrop'-sed to a>k the Auckland members of th* llomsc of Representatives to confer with vour committee as io the best n.e iu of obtaining this most desirable result.