ZOO CURATOR RESIGNS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 151, 21 March 1919, Page 6

ZOO CURATOR RESIGNS

"CONSTANT PIN-PRICKING

ATTACKS" •

COUNCILLORS ASK FOR RECONSIDERATION-

Tho Reserves Committee reported to tho City Qounoil .last flight that it had received the resignation of tho Zoo curator (Mr. J. Langiidge), owing to ill-health and for other reasons. Tho conunittco felt tlmt his actio?i\waa caused by constant pin-pricking from certain members ©f the AVellingtoli Zoological Society and tho "very unfair and unjust criticism" that. Mr. Langridjre had been publicly subjected to in various quarters and also before the council. The committee had resolved,- in the event of Mr. Langridge withholding' his resignation, to recommend tho council to grant him an in.crease of salary-from J!208 to ,£312, to"eether with six weeks' leave of absence. This, unfortunately, "Mr. Lnngridge could not see his way to accept. The committee, therefore, recommended that his resignation should be accepted, and that he should be granted three months' ■. leave of absence on full paj\ to date from May 1, as ho has not had any leave for the'past five years. The committee further recommended that, the matter of filling the position should be left to tho committee to deal with, with authority to .invite applications if such course was necessary. , Several members of tho council exprcss- . Ed keen regret at tho resignation. They Paid, that the curator had done particularly good work at the Zoo, and had been treated very unfairly by certain people. Councillor Luckie said that every expert on zoological matters who had come to Wellington had niado most favourable comment on the work of ' the curator. .. Every, member of the council except one ,-Tvas strongly in favour of his retention, and fifteen councillors ought to be able to protect him against the grossly unfair attack* flint had been made upon him by a single councillor and a few persons outside. Councillor Luckie said the attacks upon tho curator by Councillor Castlo had been too silly to.reriuire reply. Councillor Castle said that as secretary of the Zoological Society lie claimed to have done ns much as any other person to build up' the Zoo. In criticising the management of the Zoo he had not mentioned the curator. Councillors: Ton did. Councillor Castle referred to animals that hail died in the Zoo. "Where are our donkeys?" lie asked. (Laughter.). He ■ had 110 personal animosity towards the curator, but felt there ought to be an expert zoologist as superintendent. Councillor Frost, chairman of the Reserves Committee, and other councillors paid warm tribute to Mr. Langridge. ' It was decided that tho matter should be held over in order that an effort might bo made to retain tho Zoo curator.