AUCKLAND HAPPENINGS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 29 August 1918, Page 3

AUCKLAND HAPPENINGS.

[Froh Our Own Correspondent!

Auckland, August 26

THFC||aNQUEST OF THE AIR EectOTes seldom appeal to me, but I must say that the address recently delivered by Lieut.-Col. Sleeman, Director of Military Training, before the members of an Auckland Club, and at which I was privileged to be present, interested me keenly, as I am sure it did all who heard it. Four years of war, we were told, had stimulated invention in connection with the air-ship as mucli as fifty years of peace could have done, and the modern aeroplane, carrying large guns, could travel with ease at the rate of 60 miles an hour under proper conditions, declared the lecturer, there was no part of the world which an aeroplane could not reach in less than a week. Learning to fly, continued the Colonel, was as easy as learning to cycle, provided the pupil possessed the necessary coolness and courage, as was proved by the fact that 200 pupils had gained flight-certificates in the N.Z. Aviation Schools without a single fatal accident. All other methods of traction, added the speaker, were dependent on roads and bridges, and were handicapped by rivers, swamps, seas, fogs, and mists. But the air-ship could wing its way from point to point with the directness of a pigeon and at a speed up to 160 miles an hour, unretarded by any obstacle. For passengertransit nothing could compete with the aeroplane, said Colonel Sleeman. The station-owner who to-day is two days distant from the nearest large town would tomorrow go and return within six hours ! Unquestionably the air-ship is going to be heard of after the war is over. Vessels capable of accommodating a lot of passengers will certainly be constructed, and perhaps cheap excursion trips to London and Paris and back per aeroplane will be amongst the possibilities of i the future !

THE ONEHUNGA ZOO

Mr Boyd, proprietor of the Zoo at Onehunga, has offered the entire collection of wild beasts, etc., to the Auckland City Council and suggests that in the event of the deal coming off the Zoo might either remain at Onehunga or be removed to Auckland Domain. The price demanded for the land at Onehunga forming the site of the Zoo, together with the animals, is £12,000. Or, the animals, plant, and buildings will be disposed of, for removal, for £8000. The collection includes 25 lions, 10 bears, tiger, leopard, and numerous other " lots." Whether Auckland City will avail itself of this opportunity to establish a Municipal Zoo remains to be seen. The institution would \ certainly be a great attraction, both to residents and visitors, especially if removed to the Dnmain, The Onehunga location is too limited in extent to render the Zoo half as attractive as it ought to be and as it could, under proper conditions, be made. That reminds me that the Sydney Zoo is now the finest place of the kind this side the Line, if not in the world. It occupies a picturesque position in Sydney Harbour and is quickly accessible from the city by ferry boat. The animals instead of being cooped up in cages are allowed to wander at large, Artificial caves, etc., afford tb.6 necessary shelter from the weather, and creeks and groups of rocks, etc., serve to divide the wild beasts from the public. The scheme has proved a huge success, Possibly the Auckland City Fathers, if they should decide to accept Mr Boyd's offer, may see their way to* take a leaf out of Sydney's *book in this connection. Properly run a good Municipal Zoo (acquired for a few thousands of pounds) ought to prove a payable proposition.

DECLINED WITH THANKS! ' the foregoing par. relative tl,^ftfoo was penned the City Council has finally " turned down" Mr Boyd's offer on the score of "'the financial difficulties," Councillor Nerheny expressing the opinion that the city had enough "white elephants already." Other councillors " hoped it might be possible to acquire the property lifter the war." After the war will be too ate.' If one of the other centres of the Dominion does not make a bid for the collection it , will probably be snapped up by Australia. Auckland has lust an opportunity that will never come again.