The Globe. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1878.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1515, 24 December 1878, Page 2

The Globe. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1878.

A correspondent writes to our contemporary tlie Press, drawing attention to tho cruel way in wliich poultry is treated when brought to market, and complaining generally of the manner in which tho law supposed to exist in reference to ill-using animals is being carried out. There is no doubt but that laxity has oftentimes been shown by tho authorities in not placing upon a proper footing matters connected with tho prevention of cruelty to animals, and distressing sights frequently meet the eyo which should put to the blush denizens of any civilised community. In tho auction yards on Saturdays it is net uncommon to see dozens of couples of live fowls tied by tho legs and kept head downwards during the greater part of tho day. In England, in some parts of Australia, and in other civilised communities, tho provisions of tho various enactments rendering cruel usage to dumb animals a penal olience, aro strictly enforced, and as tho correspondent to whom wo have made reference remarks, copies of the by-law in force in Victoria aro posted in the market-place, reminding persons bringing poultry alive for sale who shall have tho legs of such poultry tied or their wings twisted tnat they render themselves liable to a tine upon conviction. During late years there has not been any legislation in force in New Zealand conclusively dealing with the absolute prevention of cruelty to animals. That is to say, that while various provincial Legislatures have taken the subject in hand in a somewhat undefined form.) tho Geuoiul

Assembly lias been silent in the matter until the last session. The Cruelty to Animals Act, passed this year, has however supplied what may fairly bo termed a defect in the colonial Statute Book, and a glance at its contents may perhaps prove interesting, and certainly useful. The now Act is very sweeping in its range, including as it does within its jurisdiction all kinds of boasts and birds, whether domesticated or in a state of nature, and also those indigenous or imported into Now Zealand. It is certainly a creditable legislative effort, yet the difficulty of knowing where to draw the lino in the nomenclature of animals comprised within the various orders of creation has not been overcome, inasmuch as classification—an almost impossible thing, practically—has not been attempted. Under the now statute however, protection will bo afforded to beasts and birds from individuals who are not unfroquontly found disgracing humanity by torturing them. After repealing the Provincial Acts —only two in number, wo believe, a Nelson and an Otago one — except as to offences previously committed, the word “ animal ” is set down to legally mean for the purposes of the Act, “ any beast or bird of any kind or species whatever, whether indigenous or imported.” Any person cruelly beating, ill-treating, over-driving, over-riding, abusing, or torturing “ any animal,” or causing or procuring the same to be done, is now liable to a penalty of twenty pounds, which may be inflicted by any one Justice of the Peace. When the conviction, however, takes place before a Resident Magistrate or two justices, instead of a money punishment, the culprit may be sent to gaol for six months, with or without hard labor, instead of being fined. This clause is a very happy one, as it reaches the wealthy, who in cases of this kind, are sometimes apt to fling their money to the officials of the Court and depart, not one whit more punished than if they had not boon brought within the operation of the law. Any person slaughtering, branding, convoying, or carrying, or causing to bo so dealt with, any animal in such a manner or positioujasjto subject it to “unnecessary pain or suffering,” is liable to bo punished under the new Act. 111-usage besides, subjects the offender to pay, in addition to his punishment, by way of compensation to the owner of the animal, any sum not exceeding £2O, he being notwithstanding open to an action for damages. Yehiclos may be seized by the police as security for a penalty, and the Bench may order it or the animal to be sold to pay for the fine and expenses. Every person keeping or assisting in keeping a place used for fighting or baiting any bull, dog, cock, or other kind of animal, whether domestic or wild, shall bo liable to a penalty of not more than £5 for every day ho shall use or permit such place to be so used, and any one assisting at or encouraging those exhibitions will render themselves amenable to the law for a similar amount. These are the main provisions of the Act, which seems to bo a transcript of the English Statute in force at home. If the police will only care to see that its useful moaning bo practically carried out, there is no doubt but that the respectable portion of the community will gladly assist in endeavouring to have put down that which is rapidly growing into an evil of magnitude.

Apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, Christmas, beyond any other festival in the calendar, seems to be justly regarded throughout the length and breadth of Christendom as a fitting time for the interchange of feelings of good fellowship and kindly consideration, it is a time when the common ties of brotherhood seem to bind us closer to each other than at any other season of the year ; and when we regard our fellow-passengers upon life’s journey with thoughtful consideration, as though they were really members of the same family, instead of creatures of another class, bound upon a mission altogether dissimilar to that occupying our own attention and time. The pleasurable associations of this time of the year are well set forth by Washington Irving when he says—“lt is indeed a season of regenerated feeling—a season for kindling not merely the fire of hospitality in the hall, but the genial flame of charity in the heart; the scene of early love again rises green to the memory beyond the sterile waste of years, and the idea of home, fraught with the fragrance of homedwelling joys, reanimates the drooping spirit as the Arabian breeze will sometime waft the freshness of the distant fields to the weary pilgrim of the desert.” This description is particularly poetical, but perfectly true, for it may be confidently asserted, without fear of contradiction, that in every portion of that empire upon whioh the sun never sets to-morrow morning will be regarded as a day to bo revered for its origin and loved for its memories and connections. The soldier extending the glo y of the British name in Afghanistan, will exchange the compliments of the season with his comrade and indulge in fond recollections of friends and home joys. At sea too, in every clime where British bunting floats, the day will bo regarded in its true spirit, and men joining in their Christmas songs and telling their Christmas stories, will entertain towards each other kindlier feelings than usual, that will not pass away with the day that calls them forth, but remain well into the coming year for their mutual benefit. To have attained so universal an adoption and so immense a growth, the influence of Christmas must be a good one, and as such, the people of Christchurch will do well to foster and encourage it, resting assured that the loss will be theirs if they allow it to die out from their midst. That they have no intention of letting it die out or even degenerate at present is evidenced by the preparations apparant upon every side for keeping it as royally even as 'twas kept at Arthur’s Court — “ When all were entertained, both man and beast, According to their rank and proper stylo,” And the entertainment involved the eonsumption of salmon, vension, and wild boars by hundreds, Ikpial in proportion is the provision made by our own tradesmen for the banqueting of the expected visitors, and butchers", poulterers, grocers, and fruiterers present a show of goud things, fudged by appearance, sufficient to teed 'an army through a winter campaign instead ot a community for one day only. At this festive season too, the poor and destitute have not been forgotten, and arrangements have been made to allow all to share in the hilarity of the time. Having done ther duty and earned the right to enjoy their pleasure, wo trust nothing may occur to mar that enjoyment, and with all sincerity tberofoie.. we wish our readers “A Merry Christmas and a Uappy New N ear.”

Finances ok Sydenham. —Tho finances of this rising municipality seem to bo in a very ft mrishing condition. There is a largo credit balance at the Eank. and the rates are now being pud in so rapidly that it lias been resolved for the present not to issue tho threatened summonses to defaulting ratepayers. Over JL'oOt) in rates has been paid in m one week, aud there now remains only some £IOO outstanding.