South Canterbury Times. THURSDAY, JULY 20, 1882.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2907, 20 July 1882, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. THURSDAY, JULY 20, 1882.

The establishment of a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals in New Zealand has not awakened the widespread enthusiasm which it might have been expected to evoke. Yet .it is an unmistakeable sign of a proper direction of public opinion, and it is ; also significant as a “sign of the times.” For as, on the one hand, it is encouraging as an indicator of the revulsion! of popular opinion against the too common ill-treatment of dumb animals ; on the other, it proves the existence of a cruel disposition in humanity which renders a movement of this kind imperative. And it is an inexplicable and humiliating circumstance that with all our advance in civilization and refinement, the Jbaaet—elements. -- of tinman nn*— survive, ana manifest themselves throughout , the community. It is fearful to contemplate the innate brutality and savagery which the commission of crime is daily showing, to us in various quarters. It is not. possible, indeed, to change nature, but it is possible to modify or bring into subjection the worse elements of human nature. A child scarcely leaves the cradle before it is necessary to check the disposition to barbarism- Worse than all other features of the larrikin character, and one of the most prominent is the disposition to inflict pain on dumb animals. : We have repeatedly witnessed it, and those, who are at all observant will confirm the statement that the practice of wantonly illtreating dumb animals is one to which the colonial youth is terribly prone. It is hardly to be wondered at that among adults there should be found so large a number of people given to ill-treating hd/ses, cattle, or dogs.' Yet in a large town, and even in our own it is unfortunately not by any means uncommon to se6 an overworked horse thrashed unmercifully,. a cow maltreated, or a dog beaten or stoned in a fit of passion. This sort of offence ought never to be allowed to go unpunished, and we rejoice to find that the good people of the principal towns , have determined to do all in their power to put down agrowing evil For in suppressing this manifestation of the spirit of cruelty they are really grappling with a formidable and terrible thing. It may be safely concluded that he who treats dumb animals with cruelty will only be rerestrained from brutal usage of those dependent upon him, by fear of consequences. A horse-beater has in him the elements of a very respectable wifebeater. That may be granted, and here all that can be done to wean away youth from cruelty to dumb animals ought to he done. The parent society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, which exists in England has done immense service, more than appears outwardly. The existence of the society alone has created a certain public opinion against cruelty ; which, more than legal enactment, has reduced it, comparatively, to a minimum. Such a public opinion will we trust be formed here, in like manner by the infant society just formed. And, in our opinion, all teachers of state schools should be encouraged and enjoined to make the suppression of cruelty to animals a special feature of training. There ought to bo in every school, indeed, an offshoot of the society. We heartily /commend the action of those who have made this movement, and wish them success in their beneficient work.

Councillors Gibson and Bush distinguished themselves at the lat ordinary meeting of the Borougt Council by moving and seconding respectively, a motion advising the Government to permit the sale of the cemetery reserve. It will bo remembered that not long ago we strongly opposed the proposal to sell this piece of land, on the ground that the Government had no right to bo urged to alienate this piece of landr which, if not required

for cemetery purposes, would be available for a recreation ground. We Lad, then, no idea that the Borough Council would put its finger in the pie ; and considering that the land in question lies outside the Borough boundaries, the Council’s action looks very like meddling with what does not concern it. The Council has several irons in its fire just now, and quite enough, to engage all the faculties of Councillors without travelling - outside its own boundaries. Or Gibson is a, great mover of motions, a sort of ruler of the municipal roost. He will not entertain the electric light, and be wills that the Cemetery Reserve be sold. Now why is Or Gibson so much interested in this piece of land ? Does he want to invite population out; to the reserve in order to add to the number of water consumers? We hope, whatever may be his reason, that the people will not permit their rights to be invaded in this meddlesome fashion by any Ooucil or individual whatever.