COCKFIGHTING

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1928, Page 3

COCKFIGHTING

' TWENTY BIRDS SLAIN WITH steel spurs. / [By Telegraph, Per Press Association.] CHRIST CHURCH, Oct, 29. ;■ The question whether oi* not cockfighting is cruel was discussed, at some length by members of the general committee" of the: Canterbury Society for Prevention of -Cruelty-..t0 Animals tonight. A letter was received from Mrs Stewart Nelson, forwarding ’a paper dipping, telling of cock-fighting in Christchurch, Urging the Society “to bring the offenders to l ook and, let it be Teen that the S.P.C. A. _ will ■ not [Vt such fiendish cruelty ris this go on.

In the course of a discussion, it was r dibit ted by members that they had heard whispers of cockfights being, held here in National Week, hut no one knew exactly where.

It was stated that coe'-fighting 'was nopulnr on the West Coast, xxheie fights were held frequently. . The first member to say a word in, defence of coek-fightirig was a womata,' Mrs F. E. Biltcliff, who said she had, been invited to attend fights in Naina! Week, but did not go. Hie bird that was brought to Christchurch frorii tlie West Coast killed about twenty in as many minutes.” , Mrs Dalton: It would have a steril spur on. Mrs Biltcliff said that this made the killing all the quicker. . The chairman, Mr G. Biltcliff, said a steel spur was really a huiriarie implement. Mrs Biltcliff: “From what I Heard there xvas no> cruelty. About 20 birds xvere brought- against a bird brought to Christchurch. It was just in and over. He made one smack at them and they* were done.” It was decided to call the attention of the police! to the newspaper clippings, Mrs Biltcliff dissenting.