PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2549, 9 June 1882, Page 3

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Last evening a public meeting was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street, to inaugurate a society for the above object* His Worship the Mayor presided. Amongst those present were the Hoa. J. T. Peacock, Archdeacon Harris, the Revs, Messrs Watson, Hlmnlie, Glasson, Snowies, Flavell, and Davidson, Messrs Parker, G. A. Eeade, H. E. Webb, W. H. Lane, L. Harper, J. P. Jameson, and Mr W. H. Shaw (non. sec ). Letters of apology were received from Sir John Hall, the Bishop, the Dssn, Oinon Ootterill, the Eev. Father Giaaty, the Rev. Mr Paiooe, the Rev. Mr Williams, Messrs P. Cunningham, Geo. Booth, W. Heywood, Cl. B. Taylor, J. H. Twentyman, and others. Mr* P. Courage wrote that she would give an annual subscription, in the event of the society being established. The Chairman stated that the president waa Sir J. Hall, and the vice-presidents the Mayors of Christchurch, Sydenham, and Bt. Albans. In this civilised age it seemed anomalous that such a society was needed, but the necessity, unhappily, could not be controverted, too many people seeming to think that the grossest cruelty could be practised with impunity on dumb animals. The Secretary passed under review the scope and practice of such societies, remarking that the inauguration of the society had been mooted in Christchurch for some time. Mr J. Jones, the Eev. W. Watson, and other# would have brought the matter forward but for unforeseen circumstances. The Eev. Mr Flavell and he (the secretary) had put it in train during the last six months. The society was essentially for the prevention rather than the punishment of cruelty. Inspector Broham had assured him (Mr Shaw) that a society waa needed in Christchurch, the local police force being too small to admit of their taki g notice of any but the molt flagrant cases. The Eoyal Society was the parent of 325 kindred societies in America, Europe, India, Australia, and Tasmania, and was inaugurated in 1824, being now the champion of dumb animals, and having as it# patrons the Queen and the Royal Family. Suitable tracts were circulated gratuitously, or by cheap sale, among coachmen, carters, and drovers. Constables were stationed in the markets and streets. Persons guilty of flagrant act* of cruelty were prosecuted, publicity being given to the proceedings. Prior to 18S2 the condition of animals in England was deplorable. By Martin’s Act of that year she led the van in legislating on their behalf. The society, under various Acts, had obtained 43,798 convictions, starting with 80 in the year 1835, and reaching to 4000 in 1880. Dr. W, B. Richardson, of London, before a congress of societies, expressed an opinion that it was practicable to destroy oxen during insensibility produced by a narcotic vapor, in less than thirty seconds; the flaw of blood being complete, the flesh setting well, and the color, flavor, and nutritious qualities of the meat being preserved. Public slaughterhouses were deemed desirable. Steamers were now so constructed that animals increased in weight in spite of bad weather. Their Jtransport by rail had been warmly taken up in England and elsewhere, the Boyal Society awarding a prize of £IOO to a Mr Murray for adaptations to existing vehicles of g trivanoe permitting animals to eat and drink in transit without lessening space allotted. Vivisection had also been dealt with, so that what was formerly done at the *’ the sweet will of every wonld-be surgeon” was now controlled by special license, with returns of the nature and result of operations. The proper training of farriers would meet the approval of horeeowners. Bull fights, cruelty at races and at other sports, and to animals exhibited at shows, and the casting adrift of domestic pets, also came under cognisance. Zinc collar pads for sore necks of harness horses, traction springs in a 6 inch tube on traces, to enable a horse to start a heavy load without straining himself or the harness, and to prevent shock to the shoulders in the event of the wheal coming in contact with a stone, the use of such springs being deemed by the veterinary surgeons of Germany to add two years to a horee’a life ; marking cattle without pain, and provision of catde troughs, were all auvooatea/

Mr L. Harper, in tee absence of the Primats through illness, moved—“ That a society be established for the prevention of cruelty to animals, to bo called the New Zealand Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.” £At this stage a black curly retriever trotted up to the platform and had a critical look at the gentlemen on the platform, being, apparently, a delegate from the canine race/] The Esv. W. Plavel, in seconding the resolution, commented on the appearance of the dog in question, as having been deputed to come forward and give his thanks by anticipation.

The resolution was unanimously carried amid applause. Archdeacon Harris proposed that the following be the objects of the society “ (1) Encouraging the principles of humanity—especially in the education of the young ; (2) the putting ia force legislative action to curb cruelty ; and (3) the circulation of literature advocating the objects of the society.” Mr Webb seconded the motion, remarking that, as a member of the Board of Education, he should bo happy to see that effect was given to any resolutions applicable to school* and calculated to promote the gentle treatment of animals.

Mr Jameson pointed out how much eaiier it was for a body such as that under consideration to bring cases of cruelty under the notice of Courts than it would be for a private individual to do so. Carried unanimously.

The Bev. Mr Elmslie was not sure but that in some respects New Zealand had been even more cruel than her neighbors, especially in regard to the treatment of horses at the hands of Maoris and drunken men. Possibly the kinder treatment of the horse at Home resulted from its greater money value relatively. Again, some milch cows round about the city, he had, in going his rounds, observed poor and lean, especially in winter, feeding on bare pasturage, and housed in cold and wet. He moved—“ That Mr G. A. Beado be clcotod hon. treasurer, Mr W. H. Shaw horn *eo., and the following gentlemen as a provisional committee, with power to add to their number :—The Eevs. T- Flavel, W. Davidson, H. Williams, Father Qicaty, and Messrs J. P. Jameson, W. H. Dane, J. Anderson, T. S. Weston, M.H.R., J. O. Veel, M. Murphy, G. Booth, Stanley Edwards, J. K, Parker, W. Stringer, I. Gibbs, T. W. Jones and J. Jones.” Mr Dane seconded the resolution, which was supported by the Hen. J. X. Peacock, and was carried.

Mr Harper said there was a precedent for the name as proposed, a society having been started in New York with the title of “ American,” and kindred societies, subsequently started in the States, being named from the places in which they were respectively promoted. The Bev. Mr Watson moved—“ That for the guidance of the committee, the rules cf the Hoyal Society shall be regarded as the basis of this society, and that the yearly subscription shall be not less than El or 10s fid, which will entitle to an illustrated monthly periodical.” Mr Watson deprecated the cruelty practised in hare-hunting with dogs and in pigeon shooting ; and gave instances of severe punishments inflicted at Home for cruelty to animals. Mr Eeade seconded the resolution, which was carried.

A vote of thanks to the chair concluded tha proceedings at nine o’clock. \