CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 217, 28 October 1874, Page 2

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Sib, I notice, by late Auckland papers, that more attention is being paid to enforcing the law regarding cruelty to animals, and am of opinion that this community would be much the better if initiated into'a perception that such a law is in force; and that the brutal treatment of horses in particular pervading here, which is so hurtful to the feelings of any ordinary human being, possessed of even a small share of mercy and justice, need not be permitted. I ■ v that the attributes just named, have no ) with our darker brethren in respect of th.. treatment of brutes at least, but they are capable of being taught and should be made to learn by degrees ; but as to the white man, an example or two should certainly be made to put a stop to the practice which has obtained, though the horse here lately having been an almost valueless chattie to be abused and flung away when useless. I have seen, lately, some barbarous, undeserved, punishment of dray horses on the Gladstone road, which, in fact, prompted this letter, and I, for one, intend, if I witness a recurrence to.take action in the matter. Hoping that others may do Y-n like mariner.—l remain, %c., Equestrian.

Sir, —As I gather, from an article in a late issue of your valuable paper, anent a contemporary’s criticism of a piece of poetry which appeared in your columns, that your views are favorable to Good TeUjpiarism, I am encouraged to hope you will give space to the few observations I am about to make.

But, first, I must premise, that I make public those observations in no spirit of hostility towards Good Templars, either individually, or, as a body. On the contrary, I heartily wish them every success, and that their numbers may go on increasing until they have us all “ gathered in.” I would, myself, have liked to join the movement before this, could I have seen that the Gisborne brotherhood carried out the principles of the Order in a more charitable spirit. I have observed that one of the body, who lias been a member from the first, was the moving spirit in getting up, and was engaged in, the late Billiard Tournament. Now, Sir, I think encouraging the game of billiards, in a public-house billiard room, is inconsistent with Good Templarv. In fact it is indirectly aiding the liquor traffic; for we all must know that publicans do not have billiard rooms simply to amuse the public; hut as a source of profit to themselves, through the sale of liquor. And in this case the inconsistency is the greater, because the Tournament was for the benefit of men certainly not conspicuous for their sobriety.

In speaking with two Good Templars the other day, about the resignation of one of their members ; one of them—an office-bearer, too—made the remark ; “ let him go to h—. I wish a lot more of them would resign.” Now, Sir, I think this remark shews anything but a brotherly spirit; and quite the reverse of what I believe to be the spirit of the Order. I always supposed Good Templars, not only strove to reform drunkards ; but that it is their duty to try their utmost to bring back erring brothers again to the fold. Another remarked to me he “ was no bigot: let those drink who like.” I think this sentiment is not in accordance with the principles of a Society, whose main object is the spread of sobriety and the putting down of the liquor traffic. I will make no further remarks now, for fear I trespass too much upon your valuable space. I trust the bretheren in Gisborne will take this small effort to “ hold up the mirror ” to them, in a spirit as kindly as it is meant; and I shall be glad if it have the affect of leading them to mend their ways, and remove the stumbling blocks which now pre-

vent many entering heartily into their ranks. —I remain, &c., Morepobk. Gisborne, October 2lst, 187-1. ' [We have given “ Morepork ” an opportunity for “ sweet revenge hut we think if he knows no more about Good Teinplary than he does of the conduct of billiard rooms generally, his knowledge is very limited on both subjects. It is a reckless assertion to make, to say that the 40 subscribers to the recent Billiard Tournament were not “ conspicuous for their sobrietyand we have published it only to shew the intense ignorance, combined with the most rabid opinions, that exist on matters that are supposed to be popular objects of attack, the “ charitable spirit ” notwithstanding.—Ed. S. and I’.A.]