476
THE REVIVAL OF THE S.P.C.A.
We have seen in previous articles how the Hongkong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals came to be founded in 1903. Owing to a certain amount of apathy on the part of the general public, the departure of several of the keenest members, and (it would seem) a certain amount of failure by official bodies to co-operate, the Society became moribund for some years. It was, however, revived in 1921, and has gone ahead ever since.
In the S.C.M. Post of June 24, 1921, appears an account of the re-establishment of the local S.P.C.A. The report states in part:
There was a large attendance at the meeting held in the Board Room of Messrs. Jardine Matheson and Company yesterday afternoon to discuss the formation of a Branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Hongkong. Among those present were Hon. Mr. Claud Severn, C.M.G., (later Sir Claud) and Mrs. Severn, the Hon. Mr. Ho Fook, and a large number of ladies.
Mr. B.L. Frost presided, and supporting him were His Honour the Acting Chief Justice, Mr. H.H.J. Gompertz, the Hon. Mr. H.E. Pollock, and the Hon. Mr. Lau Chu-pak. The Chairman said:
Ladies and gentlemen,-We have met this afternoon for the purpose of starting a branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Such a Society has, I understand been in existence in Hongkong for many years, but for a very long time it has existed in name only. I take it, ladies and gentlemen, that your presence here this afternoon shows that you agree that it is high time such a Society took up active work in Hongkong. So I propose that a branch of S.P.C.A. be formed in Hongkong and ask for a seconder.
The amount of cruelty - a good deal of it due to ignorance in Hongkong, is truly appalling. Although there is an Ordinance, and bye-laws, which aim at the prevention of cruelty to animals, there appears to be no one appointed to see that the Ordinance is properly carried out.... This has led persons that took an interest in the old Society to give the subject up as a useless waste of time, but I trust that, as His Excellency the Governor has kindly consented to become President and Patron, and as the interest of Lady Stubbs has been shown in the matter, that, provided proper methods of propaganda are introduced, the Society should have a very successful future. The propaganda that His Excellency suggests, and which I think the majority of us will agree with, is the education of the native mind and the minds of the children, both European and Asiatic, in the humane treatment of birds and animals, and not by prosecuting them, although this may sometimes require to be done.
The Chairman was supported by other speakers, and the local branch was duly constituted.
The Chairman proposed that the subscription be $2 per annum without entrance fee, and for children, whom they wanted to encourage to join, 25 cents. This proposal was adopted. It was also decided that the Committee should be empowered to add to their number.
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Page 136
476
THE REVIVAL OF THE S.P.C.A.
We have seen in previous ertioles how the Hongkong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ceme to be founded in 1903. Owing to a certain amount of apathy on the part of the general public, the departure of several of the keenest members, and (it would seem) a certain amount of failure by official bodies to co-operate, the Sodety became moribund for some years. It was, however, revived in 1921, end has gone ahead ever since.
.
In the S.C.M. Post of June 24, 1921, appears an account of the re-establishment of the local S.P.0.A. The report states in parti
There was a large attendance at the meeting held in the Boerd Room of Messrs. Jardine Matheson and Company yesterday afternoon to discuss the formation of a Branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Hongkong. Among those present were Hon, Mr. Cleud Severn, C.M.G., (later Sir Claud) and Mrs. Severn, the Hon. Mr. Ho Fook, and a large, number of ladies.
·
Mr. B.L. Frost presided, and supporting him were His Honour the Acting Chief Justice, Mr.H.H.J.Gompertz, the Hon. Mr.H.E. Pollock, and the Hon. Mr. Lau Chu-pak. The Chairman said:
Ladies and gentlemen,-We have met this afternoon for the. purpose of starting a branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Such a Society has, I understend been in existence in Hongkong for many years, but for a very long time it has existed in name only. I take it, ledies end gentlemen, that your presence here this afternoon shows that you agree that it is high time such a Society took up active work in Hongkong. So I propose that a branch of S.P.0.A. be formed in Hongkong and as for a seconder.
The amount of cruelty - a good deal of it due to, ignorance in Hongkong, is truly appalling. Although there is an Ordinance, and bye-laws, which aim at the prevention of cruelty to animals, there appears to be no one appointed to see that the Ordinance is properly carried out.... This has led persons that took en interest in the old Society to give the subject up as a useless waste of time, but I trust as a useless waste of time, but I trust as His Excellency the Governor has kindly consented to become Presiden and Patron, and as the interest of Lady Stubbs has been shown in the matter, that, provided proper methods of propagenda are introduced; the Society should heve a very successful future. propaganda that His Excellency suggests, and which I think the majority of us will agree with, is the education of the native mind and the minds of the children, both European end. Asiatic, in the humane treatment of birds and enimals, and not be prosecuting them, although this may sometimes require to be done.
The
The Chairman was supported by other speakers, and the local branch was duly constituted.
The Chairman proposed that the subscription be $2 per annum without entrence fee, end for children, whom they wanted to encourage to join, 25 cents. This proposel was adopted. It was also decided that the Committee should be empowered to edd to their number.
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