25 Years

Ago

May 19, 1978

MOST of Britain's wild deer are born during late May and early June. Each year throughout the country an increasing number are being "rescued" by well meaning visitors to the countryside, who instinctively feel the need to take care of the tiny fawns, found lying apparently helpless in woodland or on the fells.

In all but a very few instances, these young deer are neither "lost" nor in need of rescue. Indeed to rescue them means, in most cases, a premature end to their lives, as they require very careful feeding or they will quickly fade and die within a few days. Wild deer in their first months of life spend most of the time alone, curled up in the undergrowth or in the shelter of any suitable cover in open country. Their mother returns to them regularly during the day and night to feed and groom them. Only the most severe disturbance by dogs and humans will cause the adults to leave an area. Few mothers in Nature either abandon their offspring so young wildlife in all its forms is very rarely lost or in need of human help. Quite the reverse in fact.

50 Years Ago

May 16, 1953

MORE than 100 sheep and lambs, a couple of guinea fowl and many calves, pigs, bullocks and hens, together with £50 in cash, have already been donated by farmers in Brough for an auction sale to be held at Broughton on Tuesday in aid of the National Flood Disaster Fund.

Many more farmers have intimated their intention of being at special collecting centres on the main road from Bootle to Broughton early on Tuesday morning to add further gifts to road hauliers who are giving the services of their vehicles in an all-out local effort.

100 Years Ago

May 16, 1903

IN THE course of an address delivered at the Westmorland Society's School, Herne Hill, on Wednesday, the Rev F. Lawrence, Honorary Secretary of the Church Society for the Promotion of Kindness to Animals, said that in the progress of a war wounded horses often lie for hours in agony, their masters rarely being in a position to kill them mercifully. The Under Secretary of State for War said that an extension of the terms of the Geneva Convention was necessary to secure protection for those who, after a battle, go amongst wounded animals to mitigate or terminate their sufferings. Before the death of the late Queen, a meeting was held at the Mansion House, York, under the presidency of the Lady Mayoress, when it was resolved to memorialise her Majesty Queen Victoria to use her influence. Since that time much had been done to influence persons in authority. The Swiss Federal Council had convened a gathering of representatives of the Great Powers to meet in Switzerland in September to revise the Geneva Convention, when an effort would be made to effect an extension of that agreement in the interest of animals.

150 Years Ago

May 14, 1853

AUSTRALIA is still pouring gold by the million into the lap of the mother country, and she, in return, has despatched for the colony a cargo of best Birmingham handcuffs and leg-irons.

May 15, 2003 10:00