OWNERS AND ANIMALS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1040, 1 February 1911, Page 9

OWNERS AND ANIMALS.

S.P.O.A. ANNUAL MEETING. . PRAISE FOR THE INSPECTOR. The seventeenth annual meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelly to Animals was held, in the Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon, Mr. J. S. Jameson, president, occupying the chnir. The chairman explained that his Excellency the Governor, who had been asked to preside was nnablo to do so on account' of another engagement.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet (a precis of which has been published) the chairman remarked on tho success of tho year's work, but pointed out that tho operations of the society had been hampered to some extent owing to want of funds. Mr. A. L. Herdtnan, M.P., who seconded the adoption of tho report,, remarked that it was clear that the society was doing excellent work in the city anil suburbs, and was doing it under'conditions which were not all in its favour. When it was a question of attempting to do an act of kindness to a dumb animal, it was very difficult to arouse the enthusiasm of the general public. He thought, however, that the society could congratulate itself on tho work accomplished during the year. The burden of the day had been liorne chiefly by a very excellent officer, Mr. F. Seed, the inspector. He (the speaker) had first come iuto contract with Mr. Seed in the course of Court proceedings instituted by the society some years ago; and he had admired the inspector's enthusiasm and the ability as evidenced in, the conduct of his cases. He had observed that Mr. Seed never brought a ease into Court until he had absolute proof; the case was perfectly clear, and the prosecution absolutely just. To this he believed a great ileal of the .'success of .tho society was due. As long as the society had Mr. Seed as its inspector it would, he believe.d, flourish. He hoped that the ensuing year's work would be as successful as that of the year just closed. (Applause.) ' ~; ■

Mr. W. Watson, speaking to the motion, thought that much of tho cruelty proceeded from ignorance as to how .the ailments of animals should be treated,' and New Zealand might take a leaf from' thb American book in fostering a ledge of- animal diseases. He thought that something more could very easily be done by inducing young people to go in for instruction in-the above direction. It was the duty "of the police to prevent cruelty to aiiimals .nnd to assist in pun-, ishing those wfcn were cruel. .This being 'so he urged that it was absolutely necessary that the police should have a knowledge of whether animals were suffering cruelty or not, and whether their sores, etc.. were being properly treated. The adoption of tho, report and bal-nnce-sheet was agreed to.

Officers for the ensuing year were elected as under':—Patron, his Excellency tho Governor; president, Mr: .T. S. Jameson; vice-presidents, Sir Robert Stout, bis Worship tho Mayor (Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P.), Messrs. J. O. W. Aitken, J. . Stott,. W. Watson, and Mrs. A. E. Kernot; committee, Misses Ludwi,<! r.nd Butt. Mesdames Christie, Rawson, Williams, Messrs. G. Brown, Pane, , 11. Cook, J. M. Itichfirdson. Rowley.. Revs: D. C. Bates nnd -T. I?.. Glasson; lion, solicitors, Messrs. A. K. Atkins™, A. L. Herdmftu, M.P., G. ToopnocV. H. B. Williams, T. Tonne, mid R. H. Webb; hon. auditor, Mr. C. D. Morpeth. . !

A vote nf thanks was passed to Mr. C. \V. Carroll for his services: as secretary.