ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1435, 9 May 1912, Page 2

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

REPLY TO FINANCIAL CRITICS. A meeting of the Council of the Wellington Zoological Society was held in Jlr. Castle's voonvXewtown, on Tuesday evening. The Rev. J. Crcwes. president of tlie society, presided, and there was a largo attendance of members. Mr. Castle reported that ho had asked Mr. Liutgridge, the keeper in charge of the Zoo, whether he could arrange for the tortoises to be brought wore prominently into view nt times; but that Mr. Laugridge thought that they ought not to be at this season of the year. The president referred to a newspaper criticism of the society's finances and the growth of the charge on the rates. He pointed out flint the first year's payment, when the formation of the Zco was just begun and no permanent provision for large onimnls had to be. paid for, was JC72I; the second year's payment was ,£1738; the- third year's was .£1344, «iul the fourth year's "was .£183,1. What the statement that the annual cost has been nearly doubled was worth would be seen from the fact that the first full year's payment wits ,£1738 and the payment last year .£1894. Moreover, after the estimates for last year wore passed, the City Council raised the wages of the men employed oil the. city reserves, and among these employees were the men employed at. the Zoo. There were other alterations made which affected last year's payment. It was found convenient to increase the water supply in the year and the alterations necessary to do it were hurried on and paid for, though (he cost was nnt included in the pstiniistos. Then last year a two-storied house was built in which there was a cook-house in which"' food was prepared for some of the animals in (ho '/,00. There was also a fodder depot, and there was also an office for Iho keeper in charge. Ail these should have toon provided and paid for in the first, yoor. Mr. Crowes stated that there ' should be n prospect of a considerable reduction rather than increase in the next thrco years, after making allowance for the anticipated growth and development of the Zno. The explanation was unanimously approved. It whs also reported (hat tbe president, with the Rev. J, Ward, Mr. K. A. Wright, Mr. A. R. Hornblow and Mr. .T. Casfle interviewed tlw Minister for Internal Affairs, and received from him fin assurance that the Government is getting tho best report oMnin.ible on the condition of the Xe* Zealand fauna, especially of the vfry interesting animals verging on extinction. Inquiries would also be made as (o Hip sanctuaries provided, and the sanctuaries necessary for the welfare of such animals. The meeting resolved to thank ill? Government for 'the assurances, and Mr. R. IT. Low, 8.A., and the president, wore appointed to write to the London Zoological Soripry. and to o'her iniporf.iii' zoological societies, and ask them fo help (lie Wellington Zoological Society to impress upon the Government, and people of Xew Zealand, for all time, -the fact that the p_roservntion of 111* native fauna of New Zealand is a matter of deep and worldwide interest and importance. It was also reported that to secure Captain Amundsen's autograph for the Wellington Museum, the deputation appointed to "deal with mementoes of the. discovery of the South Pole drew up an informal agreement, which Captain Amundsen readily signed. This was fnslel'ully engrossed on parchment by Mr. S. I'ndrrwood, ono of the lnembTS of (ho Wellington Zoological Pociely. iinil will be framed by Mr. Collie, another member of tho sociely. The president reported that the Enlellus monkeys ordereil li.y (ho --oe-iely niidii ho oxpocti'i! soiiiiiiim! Me.-si , -:. Hrown fsoc- ) retnry), Castle (treaMirer). and Crowov ipresident), witp appoinled ;i fommitl: , ? to raise additional finance tor tin- "oeielyV purpose. ■It was reported that lnuiiprnns expressions of admiration of the Mandarin diick« that the sociiiy placed in lh? Zoo have been received. 'It was inentionod thnt one of the Mandarin drakes in the Zoo is jun now in his full plmnn?e, ft paragon of Ijoanty worth going some distance to