Dear Sir,

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 06, Issue 100, 20 August 1943, Page 4

Dear Sir,

Letters to the Editor must be clearly written on one side of the paper only and where a nom-de-plume is used the name of the writer must be included for reference purposes. The Editor reserves the right to' abridge, amend or withhold any letter'or letters.

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY , Sir,- —I thank you for recent publication of my letter, may I again submit a further letter details of vviiich I think should be more widely known. On Thursday, August 13 I carried out a survey of the property the boiling down works, Awa-r keri. Fill give an account of what I saw. I entered a gully situated by a roadside. Here. I encountered a bog and lying in this bog amongst the t'i tree, were the carcases of six cows. A little further on were, more bodies, one could see the misery and starvation they endured—just skin covering the bones. I made my way uphill and in a hillside stream was a light coloured cow, bogged in the mud and water. It had the ap-: pcaranec. that death had taken place quite recently. This creature was in the centre of the stream itself and its position gave one an indication of the way it struggled to get out. It. was emaciated beyond words. Altogether in a small space were 9 carcases. I climbed to the top of the hill and saw the remainder of the property. Looking into another valley I saw the works and encountered a most terrible, smell. I now saw a clean landscape across the valley. About three months ago cattle were lying in this valley dying and neglectcd and unattended. The owner has indeed had a remarkable clean up of the sfeele-t tons and bones in this spot. It was a pitiful sight three months agoLooking back upon the valley I had just left, it told its own tale, white heaps, of bones from long ago showing up in the sunlight. This lady reported to headquarters of the S.P.G.A. who promised; to send an inspector along to investigate. I certainly intend, to keep my eye upon this place and its good work (as one of our councillors called it). I feel sure the councillor did not see the back valley and the contents of it. J saw no place where the cattle could obtain water, except in this., valley and my version is that they climb the hills and conic down for Avater and are too weak to climb badk consequently they are bogged and die. I have been asked by many why the case of the five pigs, that were starved to death at Edgecumbe saleyards. recently was not brought forward. Briefly I give details. They were given to me. at the local police station. The case was dropped because it was said the Magistrate would have dismissed it. The pigs were purchased by an Edgecumbe resident and though I understand he was not to blame. Five of the pigs were dead when found and the sixth was nearly dead. They had been left there from one. sa'e to another (sales are fortnightly I believe) . The case was fully investigated by an inspector of the S.P.C.A. and the police told me. it was all a pure mistake, consequently the cases did not proceed as it was not done intentionally. If space allows may I quote only three of my experiences, I have had many more. A while ago I had an occasion to A'isit Rotorua. It was a wet and very cold day. Near the village of Te Teko B saw a calf pen and a tiny miserable occupant. I knew the calves had been collected the previous day and I determined to see if it was still there on my return at 4.30 p.m. It was. I made inquiries as to who was the owner, a Maori woman owned it. No it had not been fed! It had been there since the day before and was so wee and wet and cold. 1 remained until it w r as removed and fed and likewise I still watch that gentle soul who left it there. Again I was asked to investigate a case of nine calves who had been shut up in a small piece of land attached to a cow yard. No water, 116 shelter, no grass the only water to drink was the filth from the washing down of the. cow yard. They had been there for several weeks and; were in a very thin, miserable condition, I guess their only means of sustenance was slkim milk. A very stout. Maori woman claimed, ownership. I told her unless the calves were out in a grass paddoclt an<L (Continued in previous column)