ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8347, 6 February 1913, Page 10

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY

AET COMPETITION. SOME MISAPPEEHENSXONS EEMOVED. Tke Wellington Zoological Society is promoting what should prove a very m-L-esung art competition. A prize 0.±5 5s is to bo given tor the best oil painting, wnich. must be a study oi one or more animals In tne zoo. ims compeation is open to all comers. 1 or stunents attending seconuary. technical, private schools, and colleges £2 Zs is offered 101 the best oil or water colour painting, and for children under 15 years d.l Is hrst prize and 10s tid second lor the best black and white drawing or monochrome. The coin petition, which closes on March 31st, is expected to have a healthy influence in stimulating interest in the Zoo, especially among young people. It has been represented by the society that the report of the last meeting of its council appearing in yesterday's “Times (■riven over the telephone at a late hour) suffered rather from condensation. As another newspaper has been moved to express some comments based upon the abbreviated account of. the proceedings it will be best to give the official report in full. It is as follows: A meeting of the Council of the Wellington Zoological Society was held in Mr Castle’s room, Biddiford street, on Tuesday evening. There were present: The Eev. J. Crewes (presiding), and the room was well filled with members. The secretary reported that although the City Council did not grant permission for the society ,to take the several collections for which permission was asked, permission to take oho collection was later received by the society. It had, however, been found impracticable

to fit in a hand conc.rt and * on either of the dates for -Hfixca permission had been received. , - The •chairman reported that laying .heard from Wirth Bros.' nmuagei that Messrs Wirth intended to take lioness that during the last year has been lodged in our zoo, he asked Mi' n iM, who was bore, whether he was willing to leave the lioness a few months longer or if he would sell her. Mr M n’th saia that he was communicating with ni« brother on the matter, hut thought that it was not probable that his brother would consent to leave tho lioness. Eater Mr Crewe* read in one of our city newspapers that city councillors had mado some arrangements about the animal, and that an effort was being organised to get her purchased by the public. Mr Crevves said that he had (since received a list from Councillor Frost with authority to collect towards the purchase of the lioness. The Zoological Council thought, however, that as the society had not been consulted about the purchase of the lioness, and there .seems to be in tho City Council a feeling that the Zoological Society wants to monopolise the privilege of collecting for the Zoo, tho chairman of the society should acknow-ledge-the courtesy of Councillor Frost and express hearty good wishes for success to the movement to purchase the lioness, but return the list and . work earnestly with the Zoological Society to obtain the flamingoes tho City Council has consented to receive, increase the number of bower birds that should be a very attractive feature of the Zoo, get the scrub turkeys that are much needed, procure a bear to occupy the excellent accommodation the City Council has provided, and popularise" the art oom'petitions, for which the society has with the New Zealand Academy of Fine Art* almost completed arrangements. The president reported that since the end of the last financial year, about four months ago, there had been, placed in the' Zoo by or through the society one flamingo, two plumed pigeons, two kiwis, one white duck, and two hedgehogs, and that on© flamingo had been placed in the Newtown Museum, The report was adopted. The secretary reported that the conditions for the art competitions had beea printed in circular form, and that a •thousand, copies are ready for distribiv tion.