S.P.C.A.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1596, 13 November 1912, Page 4

S.P.C.A.

BAD CASE AT NGAHAfJRANGA, Messrs. R. H. Webb (chairman), J. Ilott, J. H. G. Rowley, tho Rev. J. Reed Glasson, Mesdames Christie, Chittenden, and Miss Richardson wero present at tho fortnightly meeting of tho Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to ahimals, held yesterday afternoon. ' The following subscriptions wero received during the four weeks ended yesterday:—J. Staples-nnd Co., £1 Is.} C. Smith, Ltd., nnd To Aro House, 10s. Od, - each; Union Clothing Co., Evans Bay Timber Co., J3assoii Bros., Mrs. T. Young, and E.W., ss, each; Messrs, W. E. Carston, Mush, F. W, Boyd, W. Johnston, H. Alexander, A. L. Collyer, ,T. M. Savage, J.P., Mrs. Mills, Miss Crawford, 2s, Gd. each; Mr. Duncan, .Is.; Mr, I). H. Rotter, 25.; and friends, 9s. j Mrs. Horron, 55.; ' Croydon School Boj's., Ms,; niid Mrs, Kendall, 10s. Total, .£7 Is. The bank hal- ■ mice was reported as 4123 10s. In his report the inspector (Mr. Seed) ■ staled that on Thursday, October: 31, ho received a complaint about cattle Iscing in a wretched state at the NgahaUranga station yards. On arriving tlinro ho found they liiid been driven to the abattoirs. Ho saw 21 head of catllo in the yard, which were in u deplorable state, soriie just skin and bone; others with sores, and one suffering from a diseased cyo. They were seen tho following day by two veterinary surgeoiiß and two moat inspectors. Tho ; cattle wero all condemned and destroyed that morning. Mr. Seed reported that notion was being taken in this case, Other cases were reported, including one at Island Bay where a team of tlireb were being used in a gravel drny, and none wore reported to be lit for work. It was decided to tnkonction against the owner. Mr. ,T. Ilott made reference (xi tlio case, of A. man at present in gaol, and conimended the magistrate for his judgment.in dealing with ono proved to he consistently crtvel to his -houses, . . Mr. Seed said it was the first case in ' wliieh a Utah had been given a term of Imprisonment, without tlie' option ■of a fine, and hoped it would put a stop to brutality .practised in -Wellington,' , It was-announced that the annual meeting of the society would be held on Wednesday,.- November 20, ANNUAL REPORT.- ■ The following is the annual.- report:— ~ "In presenting its report for the j-ear eliding September 30, IUI2, tho committee desires to place upon record its appreciation of the services rendered by members und certain, of tho public in bringing cases of cruelty Under the notice of tlie society. At the saine tiino th<s coinin ittce feels that the. general . public do not take sufficient interest in the preVcii= tion of. cruelty to nninvnls, ami. this will probabiy ennvinuo until there exists a healthy public opinion against all- forms of cruelty. It apparently .remains for the soeicty to educate -the public in this direction. The appended list of cases dealt ■with during the year, Which totals 887. shows that the need-for the society, iu vety real, especially since there are certainly many' cases of cruelty undiscovered by.the society. The list gives a significant indication as to the, forms of cruelty to which dumb animals are subjected. Unfortunately it is only in a minority of cases that ignorance is the cause.. More . often it is callousness,, accompanied With varying degress of brutality; Here it may be pointed" out that the method of licensing carts is responsible for one common form' of cruelty, and one that tlie society finds it hard to deal with. The licßii.su is at present given for the capacity of the cart, without reference to-tho quality.of tho horse used, nor is the licensed load discounted for hill roads. The. result is that cases of overloading are- painfully, frequent. "The. society: took' offenders to Court irt twenty-ono cases of cruelty;. Three eases were- dismissed, but; not because"Of .flliy ■ weakness in tho charge, of cruelty. Two were dismissed through, a-,'difficulty as to ownership, while- the;case of burning for. lanipas was dismissed only because of the 'plea of ignorance based oii:nraj;ticp.,;.T.he., magistrate justified--the .society's, action, by --giving a warning against tho practice of burning for lampaSi •.-•'. ■-,'-,.■ , '.'.'Tho comniittee.-desires .to express its, •gratification at ll^.co-operation given the. society by'.the police anfl.t'h'e local city' .authorities.. The society's inspector, how- ■ ever, perfornis'ranch .'public. Work that: - would otherwise Mve. to be carried, out by thoso authorities. /■•"'' ''It is pleasing to -record tho recent establishing of -a branch society in New . Plymouth. The work has been taken, up enthusiastically in that district'.' . "With regret, wo have to reoord the death of Mr. Geofgo Brown, who was c prorhineht member of the committee Up • .'to. the' time of his, death, and always took an enthusiastic iuid most helpful interestin the work of the society. "Owing to her. removal from Wellington, the local society' loses "the services ' of Mrs.' Kendall, who lias been an active member of; tho committee. The vacancy has been filled by the election of' Miss E.Richardson to the oominifcteei . "The financial statement of' the society shows a Credit balance, but the committee j Would like to have greater .financial support. Increased funds would enable ■ the socioty to do more work c.iiiiiig for fit" j tention. During the year a bequest of ..£25 was received-from'-the estate of. .the late Hon. F. H. Froser, M.L.C. This . was thankfully acknowledged. Thanks are --due-to Miss Hayden for valuable assistance by means of a- sale pf work, : There j lins been a change of. collector, Miss. H-ailainore having resigned ill April last her place being filled by the appointment of Mrs. England. There has also been a j chango in the.office of secretary. "Tho thafiks of the -socioty are due to tho Karori Borougli Comioil and the Rail-! way Department, who. grant the society's i inspector free passes over.-their tramwayand railwsv lines respectively. It is matter for. regret that- the City. Council has withdrawn its pass, over city, tramways'. The honorary solicitors are also entitled to the, society's hearty thanks. The- iiispector (Mr. .Seed),, is deserving of. all praise for fhe energy _disnkyed by him in carrying out his duties."