S.P.C.A

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1917, Page 8

S.P.C.A

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Tara'nalri branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held last night in the Soldiers' Club. The Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess) presided, and about twenty members, mostly ladies, were present. REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. The report of the committee for tyie past year referred to the resignation' of Mrs. Denny-Browne and the loss of the valued services of the Rev. A. H. and Mrs. Colvile. The work had fully shown the need for the existence of the society and the growing interest of the public in its operations. Captain Waller had brought to the notice of the committee the existence of a juvenile section in N'ew South Wales, called "Bands of Mercy," with the result that Bands of Mercy had been established in connection with the following schools: Te Roti, Girls' High (New Plymouth), Filzrov, Inglewood, Central (New Plymouth"), and West End (New Plymouth). To interest the members of these Bands in the work of the society a literary competition is being conducted, and" prizes for the best essays will be given. The essays are to be in the hands of the secretary by October 15 next. Many cases of alleged cruelty had been investigated, but only one prosecution followed and a conviction resulted. The society records its grateful appreciation of the sympathetic co-operation of the inspector of police and his subordinates. Mr. Ralph Collins has continued to act during the past year as honorary inspector, and in appreciation of his services the committee voted him an honorarium of £5 os.

The balance-sheet showed receipts (including £7 7s 2d balance on August 31, 1916) totalling £2B Ma Id, subscriptions and donations accounting for £2O Vis fid. Expenditure amounted to £ls 7s 7d, leaving a balance of £l-5 7s 7d. The Mayor moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet.

The Vcu. Archdeacon Evans seconded the motion, and said the objects of the society were preventive, educational, and punitive. As to the first point they have their inspector. The second object, educational, would be gained by hading the children to see that it was their duty to be kind to the lower animals, and he hoped by inculcating the principle in schools beneficial results would be gained. With regard to the punitive object, he was sure no one was desirous of inflicting undue punishment, but sometimes the fear of punishment was necessary as a preventive measure. There was a principle that he thought should be written up largely in every home, and that was: "It pays to be kind to dumb animals." It paid to be kind to men, as employers discovered when they treated their employees with kindness, and in the same way it paid to be kind to the lower animals, because better results were obtained. He hoped the society's efforts would continue to bo crowned with success.

The motion was carried unanimously, ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected for tho year:—Patron, Hon. 0. Samuci, .M.L.C.; president, tho Mayor; vicepresident, Mr. T. G. 'Hirst; committee, Mesdames Gertrude Martin and Joseph Wilson, 'Misses J. A Curtis, Agnes Wilson, and ißanwell, the Ven. Archdeacon Evans, Rev. F. G. Harvie, Rev. W. A. Sinclair, Messrs F. W, Sandford, W. H. Moyes, E. Lash, and J. Paton; secretary. Mr. R. C. Hughes; treasurer, Mia. Mar!'tin; auditor, Mr. 'P. C. Morton. GENERAL. Archdeacon Evan's thought something might be done towards inducing motorists to reduce tho glare of their lights when passing horses, and the matter was referred to the committee. On the motion of Mr. Sandford, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to tho Ministers of the various churches for their sermons last Sunday in support of the objects of the society.