DUMB ANIMALS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1743, 7 May 1913, Page 8

DUMB ANIMALS.

S.P.C.A, CONFERENCE OPENS. REMEDIES FOR CRUELTY. THE MODE OF SLAUGHTERING. A. conferenco of delegates from ||,„ various Societies for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held at. the rhatn her of Commerce yesterday. Mr, K, ||, Webb (Wellington) presided. Oilier delegates present were:-Colonel I'ortor (t ;j... borne), ami Messrs. CI. K. lioliin:oii (New Plymouth), ,1. 11. I'arker (Caulei'lmry). .1, .11. Ilaukins (I'nlmer.iton North), f|, ( I', Bridge (Timaril). Inspector Seed (Wellington Society) and Mr. .1. I). Avery (secretary) also iiltended. The chairman said that he could nut help deploring the fact dial ropro'.eulatives of other societies had not put in nil appearance. II was proposed, however, to go right on with llio business, ' The first remit discussed was one liy tho Chi'islchurch Society, and read as follows:--"Thai, a Mill be promoted for the better prevention of cruelly to miinials. I his Kill lo include legislation dealing with llio following!—(ii) Slaunhlering by humane methods; (b) enclosed coursing matches; (c) live pigeon mulches; (il) triipiiin# rabbits in steel traps; (c) dehorning cattle over six months; (f) docking horses' tails; (g) tiring horses lor lampas: (h) rings in dogs' noses; (i) lwundary dogs; (j) agitated eheck-rein; (k) transit <>f animals by sea ami lalui; (1) tip-dray horses (one drover each dray). Pittiinfl Cattle "Barbarous," Dealing with Ihe slaughtering of animals, Mr. Parker remarked thai pithing was a cruet way of killing slock. Ilis society stood for the stunning; of animals ami the use of tho seven-pound hammer. He was pleased (o learn that llio hammer was in use at the big moat works in Wellington, and that it had given satisfaction. I'ithing was a barbarous method of killing—one in which a learner committed abominable blunders before lie became even reasonably efficient. Colonel Porter agreed with tho remarks made by tho previous speaker. 'Inspocjor Seed said that, llio Wellington Moat hxport Co. and llio Gear Co. had done away with pithing without any pressure whatever being brought to bear on them. It was decided that for slaughtering purposes stunning by moans of llio. sevenpound hammer bo the method endorsed by the conference. "Mr. Tarker moved that a deputation should wait on the Minister for Agriculture with a request that slaughter-houses in the country should be standardised so that cattle about to bo slaughtered would be firmly held. . Mr. Bridge asked whether there wtis any specific evidence that killing had taken place in open yards. The conference had to bo certain that it was on safe ground. Colonel Porter and Mr. Parker both stated that supervision was chiefly required in the country districts. In tho largo centres there was direct control. llr. Parker's motion was then put to the meeting and carried. Mr. Parker expressed the opinion that legislation should be asked for making it compulsory to first stun pigs when they were being slaughtered. Ho mentioned that it was done in foreign countries. Why oould it not in d British community? In reply to a question raised by tho chairman relating to sheep, Mr. Parker remarked that the sheep wai an animal that died very quickly. It got a quick dispatch.

Coursing and Trapping. Tho confcrence decided to include in a Bill clauses prohibiting enclosed coursing matches, livo shooting matches, and insisting on visits to rabbit traps by trappers at certain intervals. Dehorning Cattle. Tho question of dehorning cattle was next discussed. Delegates were of tho opinion that the dehorning of cattle was necessary now, as the animals did considerable damage to themselves with their horns. It was decided, however, to urgo tho Government to make dehorning it legal after a animal had reached tho ago of six months. Docking Tails. In. regard to tho docking of horses' tails, Mr. l'afker 6aid that the operation in itself was a very painful one. It was really cruel to dock a horse's tail. ■ Inspector Seed thought that ■ tho tails should not bo docked. It was barbarous and brutal. Ho had seen horses rendered nearly mad through being worried by flios, aud not being ablo to relievo themselves owing to their tails being dockod. Tho conference decided to endeavour to obtain legislation prohibiting the docking of horses' tails. Firing for Lampas. The firing of horses mouths for lampas was also strongly condemned. Inspector Seed said that tho use of redhot irons for burning out of lampas was 6till in uso in iS'ew Zealand. He considered that it was a most brutal process. Delegates were unanimous on the proposal to obtain legislation prohibiting this process. Nose Rings. Mr. Bridgo moved "That the placing of rings in dogs' noses be prohibited." Tho ring, he stated, was placed in the noso in order to prevent the dog from biting stock. It was a cruel thing to do to such a faithful animal as the dog. Tho chairman asked whether it was cruel to placo rings in the noses of bulls and pigs. Somo delegates maintained that this practice was an old custom. Mr. Parker remarked that a dog's noso was moro sensitive than that of a bull, Tho resolution was carried.

Boundary Dogs. It was decided to seek legislation to prohibit boundary (logs. It was held by delegates that these animals did not receive proper attention. 'Overhead Check Rein. Mr. Bridgo moved: "That legislation bo obtained prohibiting the uso of liead check rein on horses." In support of his resolution ho said that tho-horse should have tho freedom of its head, and tho use of tho check rein prevented this. Horses also suffered pain by the-use of such reins. Tho resolution was carried. Transit of Stock. Tho transit of stock ' was next dealt with. The delegates were unanimous in ; tho opinion that the present system, both on land and sea, was undesirable. Instances were mentioned in which cattlo had had their horns broken through careless handling. The carriage of pigs was also mentioned, and Mr. Hankins remarked that ho had once seen a truck of pigs completely exhausted through want of food, etc., after completing a long journey. Some of tho animals were lying in the truck dead. Mr. Bridge considered that tho society did not get such accessary help from tho Uailwav Department as it should. The following resolution was carried: "That the attention of the Legislature bo drawn to the necessity for better provision for tho transit of animals by land and sea." Horses in Drays. On the motion of Col. Porter, it was decidcd to place 011 record a resolution dealing with the driving of horses in drays. This resolution was.to tho effect that each dray should be driven separately by its own driver, as in many cases acts of cruelty were unwittingly perpetrated by tho drivers when in charge of moro than ono dray. Live Pigeon Matchcs. The question of • whether live pigeon matches was inhumane was also discussed. llr, Parker (Christchurch) mentioned that it was a well-known fact that in Australia pigeons were taught to fly erratic courses, and when used in gun'eoiup"titions were frequently simply wounded and fell outside the boundary. 110 suggested that the conference should p.i,--a resolution condemning tho practice, and asking that it be prohibited by act oi Parliament. Tho conference, after discussion, passed

n iT-olnliou allirining llio nerd of proliiliilini! live pigeon matches us now carried (111 ill III" Dominion. Question of n Subsidy. Mr. Ilridge moved llinl 11. furflior nphlM'tiljnti lir iniido In tin- (lovcrnmenl asking il In Mili.'iidiM 1 I lII' snoicl ics. Ili; eon,.iili'rnl llml il iviiH ii very rensnwiblo llliui; lo n-di for when I.lie fact lll.'il Hie imeiolv llinl iliilli" Midi good work tllt'OUK'l--0 111 I lII' I Inlllinillll IVIIS 111 k I'll illlll COllsidoral inn. Thi,'< eoueluiled I lift Canterbury remits. Llcoiuiis lor Owners and Drivers. Wellington reuiils were next: dealt Willi. Tin' lirsl remit wmii: '"I'llul. il is d'"-irnlilt' llinl paid driver* mill owners ill' vi'hii'li"! iim'il for (riiilii In' licensed, <iii(| llml. sh'i/fi lie Inlteri lo h/tve Ilm e.\1.1 iiik li'i:i' lii I iii!i iniii'iidi'il lo enable local millinrilicii In innl<<! by-laus in provide, loi' r'uiiH'. 'I'liiil. it be also provided lli.'il. 1111 v lll'ivt'l' lII' IMVIII'I' gtlill.y lII' llll'IM) OfI'cni'i"! filinll linvi' lii;i 1 i(Mmso cancelled." In '.pi'iiliinij lo llin remit, ]u.spcclor Seed I'liiplini'lM'd Hi" necessity for tho inspcclimi nl' lioi"<i'ii li.v n i|iiiililiril vU-rinar.v Miriti'iin. lu'f.ii*" drivers should got licenses. Tile npf'iilter said llinl in Dm [in.it lii'"iihad li'm'ii granted lo drivers, and II linil iifli'i'wilrd'i been found llml. (lift lioi'i"t with obliged lo draw loads which were ]ill.vsirjil impoHMljililios for (lu'in. Mvimy driver should have liis lioi"-" inspected, iiml if lie was convicted nl' i 11-Hsi Ii •' his horse, <iii morn than three lu'i'iiiimi". lie slionld lose his license. Tim speaker nisi' denll willi Hie heavy Joads which sniiie horses were required to draw, iniiti' especially in coal carls. He had m'i'U such earls carrying something lilie Ino lons mid morn, lie considered that I his was lon great for one horre to draw. Tito loads of coal curls should ho reduced lo ;ilicwl„ and the City Council should lie appi'iai'licd with regard to effecting some reform in llio mailer. Mr. .1. D. Avery spoke on similar lines. After it general discussion, llio above remit v.as carried unanimously. The conferenco adjourned until 2 o'clock llii,s afternoon.