SOCIETY FOR PREVENTING CRUELTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 September 1915, Page 3

SOCIETY FOR PREVENTING CRUELTY.

ANNUAL REPORT. The annual rep<3rt of the committee of the above Society to be presented to the subscribers at the annual meeting to be held this evening, after referring to the resignation of Miss Percy Smith and the election of Mrs. F. Messenger to the vacancy, states that during the year the Society has justified its existence, though no prosecutions have been instituted. Many cases of alleged cruelty have been brought to the notice of the Society, and in most cases its intervention has produced good results. Efforts, too, have been made to improve the conditions under which sheep, pigs and cattle are transported by rail. The very fact of the existence of the Society has accustomed people to appeal to it to remedy abuses and has impressed the wrong-doer of the danger of the wilful ill-treatment or the neglect of animals. The efforts of the Society would be more effective if those who witness acts of cruelty would be more ready to come forward and give evidence. It is satisfactory to be able to record that m the majority of cases the intervention of the Society has been treated with respect, and the attitude of most of those against whom complaints have been made has been sympathetic, which is some evidence that the humane principles on which the Society is founded are widely acknowledged. Reference was made to the loss the Society sustained by the resignation of Mr. G. P. Robinson, the late secretary, and to the fact that it takes a new secretary, especially if he be a busy man, a year or two to get qualified for his duties. The committee gratefully acknowledge the assistance given by district agents and other sympathisers. The financial position of the Society is not so satisfactory as could be wished. The year began with a credit balance of £9 8s lid, and ended with a credit balance of only £2 2s 7d. This is. however, not surprising, in view of the very numerous calls which have been made on public generosity owing to the war. The subscriptions amounted to £3l 13s Od, and the expenses, including £36 for the inspector, totalled £3B 9s. It was felt that it only required a little organised effort to substantially increase the funds of the Society