CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

Evening Star, Issue 19794, 18 February 1928, Page 4

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

PREVENTION SOCIETY’S ANNUAL MEETING

The forty-sixth annual meeting of the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon, bir George Fenwick (president) in the chair. . , In moving the adoption of the annual report (already published) the Chairman said it might be supposed that the small attendance hardly bore out the belief that there was a very active interest in the operations of the society. The contrary was proved by the large number of members, but he would still like ‘io see a larger attendance at the annual meeting. There was a drop in the number of cases of cruelty reported during the-past year as compared with the previous year by eight. He did not think the decrease was due to any less vigilance on the part of their inspector, or any less desire on the part of the community to write when cases of cruelty came under notice. _ In 1923 there were 140 cases inquired into, and in 1927 there were forty-five less. That was a remarkable drop, and was a testimony to the usefulness of the society, and perhaps to the fact that cruelty was less practised than before. The membership of the society had increased from 1,710 to 1,690, tins being a further tribute to the work of their inspector (Mr Craig) in that part of his duties. The distribution of pamphlets among school childfen had again been carried out, and the society was receiving support from the teachers in that matter. “Animal Welfare Week” had again been organised by Mr J. A. Forbes, and been successful. In the report it was mentioned that a deputation had been received by the committee from a society formed in ' North Otago with the proposal that the Otago Society should withdraw from the Oamaru district. Naturally, the committee did not wish withdrawal from a district in which the society had carried on for so long. A letter was sent to every subscriber in the North Otago district, and by an overwhelming majority they expressed tho opinion that the Otago Society should continue its work there. During the past year bequests had been received from the estates of tho late Sarah Beeves, £6O; the late George Devenney, £25; and the late Mrs Gloss. £IOO.

Cr J- S. Douglas, who seconded the motion, apologised for the absence of the mayor, who was in Wellington on business. The mayor and members ol the City Council, said Mr Douglas, knew whht a splendid work the society was doing, and appreciated it. Sir George Fenwick was re-elected president. Mr W. F. Sligo assured Sir George that a chairman of committee would be appointed to spare him a good deal of detail work. Members of the society, he said, appreciated greatly what Sir George had done. The Rev. W Saunders, Mr Crosby Morris, and Mr W. D. Snowball were re-elected vice-presidents. Other office-bearers appointed were;— Honorary treasurer, Mr W. F. Sligo; auditors, Messrs W. Brown and Co.; honorary veterinary surgeons, Messrs W. D. Snowball, P. M'Gregor, and T. Cunningham (Oamaru). Honorary solicitors were elected for each centre. The following committee was elected: —Mrs and Miss Porteous, Messrs John Sheppard, T. Elliott, P. Johnston, J. Brown, S. P. Leith, J. M'Gregor, Jas. Shephard, S. Stewart, A. D. Sutherland. the mayor (Mr W. B. Taverner), Mr H. L. Tapley, M.P., D. M'Lennan, and P. Briscoe.