CITY COUNCILLOR AND THE ZOO

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 103, 25 January 1919, Page 8

CITY COUNCILLOR AND THE ZOO

CURATOR RESENTS CRITICISM COMMITTEE REPORT TO COUNCIL Trouble between Councillor Castle and tho curator , of the Zoo at 'Newtown (Mr. J. Langridgc) was the subject of a committee report to the City Council last evening.

Mr. Langridge had written to tho council bringing to its notice what lie termed "the very: disparaging remarks mado by Councillor Castle in reference to the Zoo and Zoo management during the recent Parliamentary election." The committee, in its report, evidenced the fullest confidence, in the curator and his, management of the Zoo, and expressed its views in the following ven the casual visitor has readily satisfied himself as to 'tho curator s fitness for his nbsition, and many have remarked on the well-kept condition of the animals. They have not failed to notice and comment oiv the fact tnat lie and the animals are friends, a most, valuable quality in any curator. ■ Ills general management has been a credit to his control; and, except m cases of illness, there-lias not beeii an unhappy specimen in the collection. "We feel that we are justified in expressing the committee's keen displeasure at Councillor Castle's remarks.; It cannot be too deeply deplored that one. holding .the position of a : councilor should Have' criticised on a public platform an 'officer of the council,/who, by reason of liis : position,; was unable to defend himself. If tho officer's conduct was at any time considered by Councillor Castle to-be in fault, or. questionable, the matter should • have - b»c-» brought .under the notico of the council in tho usual-manner. One statement by Councillor Castle 'that, the institution is*, a menace to the health of the community' affcc'ts tho committee and council as well the curator, but this assertion w so ■ unwarranted; so absolutely unjtruo,. that,wo..feel. that. Councillor Castle (who must know, the statement to be contrary to fact) could not have been serious' when ho .uttered it.

"Experts from : other countries, veterinarians, and,- in fact, every visitor of note have signified their picasure at the detailed arrangements of tho Zoo and its general ■ appearance The Zoo Sub-Committee aire also pleased to bear witness that at'their frequent visits, arranged unknown to tho curator, they have always found tho place in a cleanly and -sanitary cundi-' lion.

"It is' possible," _ the report concludes, "that Councillor Castle's error may have been due to tho political excitement of the moment, rather than to a calmly meditated.attack upon this officer. If such bo tho case, wo aio sure that upon reflection Councillor Castle will be generous-minded enough to make tho ■ 'amende honorable' as some satisfaction duo in our opinion to the curator." ■ ;

' The matter was discussed by; lito council in committee, and tho. .report was adopted. ,

Councillor. Castle made no .statement in open council. / ; '