973
Supporting the plea in a leading article in the same issue, the Telegraph commented:
"Mr. Hewett's letter is sufficiently convincing that action cannot be long deferred, in order to have established in our midst some form of a protective society whereby dumb creation could be freed of the suffering unnecessarily inflicted upon it by that class of Chinese and others who seem to take a heinous pleasure in causing pain to such animals as can find no relief from them. The report of the Captain Superintendent of Police for the last year shows that there were no less than 34 cases reported to the authorities in connection with cruelty to animals and furious driving, and assuming that a very small proportion of the number of cases belonged to the latter category, it must be concluded that the 62 persons, who were convicted under the charges brought against them, represented but a small proportion of the total number of cases which escaped the attention of the police.
In its issue of July 30, following, the paper reports further progress in the matter, as follows:
"Thanks to the invitation of Mr. E.A. Hewett, who revived the proposal for the formation of a society in Hongkong for the prevention of cruelty to animals, it may now be said that the establishment of such an institution in the Colony is within measurable distance of accomplishment...assistance and co-operation in this most humane object has been forthcoming. We are pleased to be able to state that Mrs. J.D. Cameron, a member of a similar society in the United States, with the object and working of which this lady is thoroughly familiar, has interested herself actively in Mr. Hewett's movement, with the result that personal canvassing of members and interviews with probable supporters of the scheme have elicited that degree of interest in the object of Mr. Hewett's society that its establishment must be reckoned as only a matter of weeks, while its complete success is fairly assured. We understand that the main difficulty in giving the society a start has already been overcome. A gentleman has volunteered his services as secretary, and the help of another is promised as assistant secretary. Among influential members of the community considerable interest has already been aroused since the publication of Mr. Hewett's letter in the Press of Friday last, and before long, support will be obtained from high quarters, whose sympathy with the scheme must, assuredly, be enlisted."
It might be noted that the Mrs. Cameron mentioned was resident of the Colony until a few years ago, being for a long period proprietress of the former Carlton Hotel in Ice House Street (now a Japanese hotel). She was a keen supporter of the S.P.C.A. throughout, and will be remembered by many because of her sympathy for stray dogs, which found a comfortable home with her, to the number of six or more at a time.
The actual founding of the local S.P.C.A. will be dealt within a further article.
973
Supporting the plea in a leading article in the same issue, the Telegraph commented:
"Hr. Hewett's letter is sufficiently convincing that action cennot be long deferred, in order to have established in our midst some form of a protective society whereby dumb creation could be freed of the suffering unnecessarily inflicted upon it by that class of Chinese and others who seem to teke a heinous pleasure in causing pain to such animals as cen find no relief from them. The report of the Captain Superintendent of Police for the last year shows that there were no less than 34 cases reported to the authorities in connection with cruelty to animals and furious driving, and assuming thet a very small proportion of the number of cases belonged to the letter category, it must be concluded that the 62 persons, who were convicted under the charges brought against them, represented but a small proportion of the total number of cases which escaped the attention of the police.
In its issue of July 30, following, the paper reports fur- ther progress in the matter, as follows:
We
"Thanks to the invitation of Mr. E.A. Hewett, who revived the proposal for the formation of a society in Hongkong for the prevention of cruelty to animals, it may now be said that the establishment of such an institution in the Colony is within measurable distance of accomplishment...assistence and co- operation in this most humane object has been forthcoming. are pleased to be able to state that Mrs. J.D. Cameron, a member of a similar society in the United States, with the object end working of which this lady is thoroughly familier, has interested herself actively in Mr. Hewett's movement, with the result that personal canvassing of members and interviews with probable supporters of the scheme have elicited that degree of interest in the object of Mr. Hewett's societythat its establishment must be reckoned as only a matter of weeks, while its complete success is fairly assured. We understand that the main difficulty in giving the society a start has already been overcome. A gentleman has volunteered his services as secretary, and the help of another is promised as assistant secretery. Among influential members of the community considerable interest has already been aroused since the publication of Mr. Hewett's letter inthe Press of Friday lest, and before long, support will he obtained from high quarters, whose sympathy with the scheme must, assuredly, be enlisted."
It might be noted that the Mrs. Cameron mentioned wes resident of the Colony until a few years ago, being for a long period proprietress of the former Cerlton Hotel in Ice House Street (now a Japanese hotel). She was a keen supporter of th S.P.C.A. throughout, and will be remembered by many be cause of her sympathy for stray dogs, which found a comfortable home with her, to the number of six or more at a time.
The actual found ing of the local S.P.C.A. will be dealt within a further article.
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