CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1921, Page 6

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

THE PREVENTION SOCIETY. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Society for the Prevention .of Cruelty to Animals was held in the Soldiers’ Club last night, the president (Mr. R. C. Hughes) presiding over an attendance of about twelve. The annual report stated, inter alia: “The committee have again to congratulate members on another successful year. Many complaints were reported of cruelty to animals, especially of starving stock. The committee proceeded against one offender in this respect, and secured a conviction against him. Several other persons would undoubtedly have been prosecuted, but, owing to the difficulty of getting sufficient evidence, the cases had to be abandoned. This was mainly owing to the want of funds, the cost of travelling by car being beyond the society’s means. The committee wish to thank Mesdames Turton and Earp, Miss Fairhall, ‘A Lover of Animals’ and Captain Waller for donations to the society’s funds, and the secretary for the donation of his salary. One of the most active members, Mr. J. Paton, resigned during the year, as he was leaving the district. Unfortunately the Colville memorial essay competitions have not been held during the year, but the committee trust that early next year, when the school teachers have more time, they will be proceeded with. Mr. Hughes said he wished to add to the report that they had been in communication with a southern branch of the society in regard to the prevention of the coursing of hares in enclosures and the shooting of pigeons in gun matches, and he was pleased that the branches were co-operating in the matter. He mentioned one instance in Taranaki where they had been instrumental in preventing pigeon-shooting matches. The balance-sheet showed the receipts to be £4l 3s 4d, and expenditure £3l 9s lOd. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The inspector (Mr. C. J. Wickham) reported that there had been two court causes brought against offenders, one for alleged cruelty to ducks being dismissed, and another prosecution for starving cattle was successful, a fine being inflicted. A number of minor eases had been dealt with, chiefly relating to ill-treatment of horses and cattle. The inspector had visited the various districts of Taranaki, including Inglewood and Eltham, and had dealt with minor cases there. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: Patron. Hon. O. Samuel, K.C.; president, Mr. R. C. Hughes; vice-president, Mrs. G. Martin; auditor, Mr. E. Lash; secretary and treasurer, Mr. E. L. Humphries; committee, Mrs. Earp, Misses Curtis and Devenish, Rev. W. J. Elliott, Archdeacon Evans, Dr. R. Brewster, Messrs. ; Barthorp, L. Etherington, H. A. Stratford, ; Mrs. W. Bayly and-Mr. D. P. Evans; hon. I veterinary surgeon, Mr. W. G. Taylor. i As an appreciation of their services an i honorarium of £lO 10s was voted to the t secretary and £5 5s to the inspector. j