PREVENTING CRUELTY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 3, 31 August 1943, Page 5

PREVENTING CRUELTY

COUNTY COUNCIL DISCUSSION ■CERTAIN CONTROL NEEDED The subject of the Awakeri boiling-down works which was undeT discussion at the meeting of the Whakatane County Council last week led up to the broader question of cruelty to animal's generally and councillors were more or less unanimous in their remarks that there was a definite need for the services of an S.P.C.A. inspector in this dis'trict who would institute proceedings against any dteliberate cases of cruelty. Cr McCrac'ken 'introducing the subject said that there had been considerable publicity given to the boiling-down works at Awakeri recently and lie thought, it only fair that the public should know, that the council had instituted a monthly inspection of tlie plant, by the Health Inspector, and could only •go on what that report stated. For »thc month of August the state of the plant was. described as satisfactory. "We want, to be fair.," continued Cr McCracken. "This man is ~up against it and is. doing what he 'Can." Should be Stopped Cr McGougan considered that the letters in the press had some grounding, as lie had maintained for some "time that an inspector was needed lin this county. He instanced cases -of cruelty to horses which had come to hi.s notice and added that where this sort of thing went on in a country like New Zealand rightminded people .should see that it was stopped. He did. not mind what .anybody said it should be put down. Not Only Calves The chairman: "I understand any'■one can join the S.P.C.A., and, become a member." Cr Smith: Its a duty of the police at present and its up to every citizen to co-operate with-them. The chairman: The question has figured around bobby calves maui- • ly. Cr Burt: Quite right too. Cr Wardlaw: It shouldn't be limited to bobby calves, there are much ■worse things done to other animals. The chairman: Of course -the •bobby calves being newly-born animals get more sympathy and a • double-decker lorry loaded • with calves for despatch appeals; to the instincts of everyone. But what I know of the operations of the Pool, and the carriers employed, they are doing all they can to avoid all unnecessary crueltj'. That is about all that can be done. The Government has. asked * for an increase in the industry and it can't very well be ■ /avoided- 4 Dogs and Pigs Cr Burt: There arc lots of other avenues. I refer to dogs tied up in the rain for days and not Maori -dogs either! Cr McGougan: Pigs too have been ill-treated. If there was an inspector going round it would be his job to prosecute. I know the average farmer doesn't want to inform on his neighbours, but with an inspector it would be different. Cr "Wardlaw: Quite, true. The clerk said that it was for those interested to form a brunch of the S.P.C.A. and then to take steps to appoint an inspector. The whole movement was voluntary and was supported by subscript ions"" from members. Cr McGougan: Why should those who feel it is necessary have to pay for it. The matter was then dropped.