THE ZOO.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 912, 3 September 1910, Page 10

THE ZOO.

Sir,—lt seems a great pity that dissension lias arisen in connection .with the Zoological' Society, that has so. far-borne tho heat and burden of'tho day,'. : and when people were beginning to' take a great deal of interest in it that ouo'.bf the committee should, have taken upon himself to start another society. From what I con gather the promoter of the new society, the Rev. J. Crewes, .who is a member of tho first society, desired the secretary to call a meeting at-which-Mr.' Bertting was to be present and allowed to make a statement as to his position. This matter having arisen in consequence" of Mr.. Bertling's term of appointment being up, and the City. Council intimating that it did not intend to reappoint him. Tho secretary, instead of calling a meeting of the society, as requested, called a meeting of the committee, and tlio question of calling a meeting of the society, according to Mr. Crcwcs's request, was discussed, and it was decided that no meeting of the society could bo held under the circumstances asked by , Mr. Crowes. Mr. Crewes apparently-resented this,' hence" tho meeting of last nights ' Mr. Crewes is reported to'-'have- statedthat he'still belonged to. tho committee.of

the old. society, as .ho did riot Ifto to leave it until tho debts were paid. Formy purt, I think it would have been wiser for /Mr. Crewes to have resigned from the old society, intimating that he was prepared when called upon to pay ins, proportion of the debt existing at tho tinitf'ho commenced to "go back on it." It seems that the other members of th& .committee, of tho old society have, more faith, in Mr. H. C. Bates than Mr. U-owes has. When doctors differ patients die. When reverends do so, how about tho .flock—would they be given to-the 1i0n?... It must not be forgotten by the citizens that tho old society started the sioo, and had a very up-hill job, and great thanks are due to those.who worked, so hard to get', the collection that is now in Newtown Park.. It would'bo interesting to know whether Mr. Crewes worked ; for tho old society as lie has evidently dono for tho. one ho has,, just, started.' He is said to have got in the short time at his disposal more names-on' tho books tlrsn tho old society, which had been in existence for four "years. May. I ask Mr. Crewes, did lie use the same energy while ho was a member of the old society, in obtaining animals for tho zoo, increasing the membership, and proposing that the society should meet quarterly, discuss zoological questions and matters pertaining, to the welfare of; the zoo, etc., etc., as he has, aud is now doing for his hew society ? ,■ ' '■■ '■ •' I think : the citizens still have confidence in the old-society, and to.use an expression slightly, altered, will not turn, their back on it, but encourage those who have spent, time and money in . order to give pleasure to.their fellows, rather than assist in encouraging- what looks like a personal grievance.- -I'am, etc., ■; . "-.■. ''■•„ '"' . ' '••■ ' FAIRPLAY."