CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. Auckland, January 19.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 34, 26 January 1884, Page 3

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. Auckland, January 19.

At tho meeting of the local Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on Thursday afternoon, a very interesting letter from Mr Henry Bergh, President of the American SQciety, was read. It had been written in reply to a communication from Mr Thomas T. Gamble reporting the steps taken in Auckland, and soliciting advice and suggestions for future 'guidance. Mr Bei-gh, after expi-essing "profound satisfaction " with the information, goes on to |say: — "I am rejoiced that the world is beginning to learn that there is no limit or boundary tothe .spirit of humanity, and your letter furnishessatisfactory proof of thisfact. I believe that, while there exists in man's nature a remnant of savagery, his preponderating characteristics are benevolence and humanity, which require only education and suggestion to bring into active operation. When first I initiated this reform in my own country — neary 18 years ago — a general apathy and indifference everywhere existed. 1 found that it required, however, only an earnest, active, and sincere demonstration of the wrongs which were being heedlessly inflicted on the defenceless brute to have public responsibility to these humblo creatures — which give to mankind more than half the benefits they enjoy— promptly recognised. In the beginning, not one Stato of tho Union made the least mention of animals in its laws otherwise than as property, humanity being entirely ignored. It should be a source of encouragement to the hesitating and discouraged friends of animals to learn that 37 States and Territories of America have enacted substantially the same laws which I then obtained the passage of in this State (New York), and that now a vast ai my of noble men and women are demanding and procuring protection for those helpless beings which a distinguished French cure calls 'our poor relations.'" The writer then goes on to point out that " while we moy sternly robukc a deliberate cruelty, we should recognise the fact that an apparent abu.se of an animal — such as a horse — may be somotime^ tho result of imperious circumstances which the -wretched owner would gladly avoid." The motto should therefore be : Protection and Forbeaiance. He advised that in the beginning " kind admonition should take ihe place of legal enforcement." and that no arrests or prosecutions should bo made unless they be so flagrant that no judge or jury can do otherwise than convict " lie thence goes on thusly :—": — " Prove to your citizens that cruelty to animals is a crime against civilisation, again.st Heaven, and against mankind. Let it be shown that you stand as a barrier between right and wiong — between mercy and relentless cruelty, just as this Society lately did when .some Spaniards made an effort to e^tabliMi bull-lighting in this city and country among the pastimes of the people And it is my belief that had it not been for tic existence of this Society, which nipped it in the bud, it \\ ould now be one of the sports of the nation."