PUTTING THE ZOO IN TRIM

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 281, 27 November 1922, Page 7

PUTTING THE ZOO IN TRIM

NEARLY "EADY FOR ITS TENANTS. OVER £12,000 SPENT TO DATE. v IT IS NOW UP TO THE PUBLIC. The chairman of the City Council Reserves Committee, Mr. Warnock, ami the city engineer. Mr. Bush, visited t.ic zoo grounds again this morning, and on their return consulted with the Mayor on a number of matters respecting tiie opening day arrangements. "Considerable progress has been made there in the past week,"' said Mr.Gunson afterwards, "and in another ten days time all the preliminary work, according to tbe plans approved by the Council, will have been completed. This will be in good time for the opening a little over a fortnight hence, on December 16, by His Excellen.-y the (iovernor-Oeneral. The lions, bears. and other animals will be moved to their new quarters early next month, and will have a few days to settle down to their new conditions before the opening day. The best use has been made of the natural advantages of the place for zoological collection purposes; the volcanic depressions have become enclosures for the larger animals, and full advantage has been taken of the rock which abounds on the property. A peculiarly atractivo fea-iirp of the grounds is the permanent stream of water comprising the Western Sprin.s;.. overflow that runs through the property. With the assistance of this stream splendid seal ponds and sporting places for other water animals have been prepared, as well ns other appropriate uses made of it. such as a children's wading pool, while in the future a waterfall and other attractions will be devised along the course of the stream. The fencing round the area will be completed this week, and the whole property will then be under effective control."' Uiscussinjr suggestions made that the admission charges fixed by the council would render frequent visits to the Zoo somewhat expensive for parents, of moderate means and lar«e families, the Mayor remarked: "The capital expenditure on the Zoo to the date of opening will amount to £12,120. and as the public will sre that sum has been absorbed in - carrying out what is really only preparatory and initial work. A great deal more remains to be done in the future, while the cost of maintenance will also lie considerable. Tt is therefore quite impossible, without looking forward to a considerable loss, t 0 fix the admission charge below 1/ for adults and 3d for children. In any case it will be well worth these figures for what council will, even at the outset, have on exhibition there. There is a tendency -no—adays, to expect everything for nothing but it must be emphasi.ed that these public facilities cannot be maintained without considerable cost, and tbe ratepayers cannot be expected to find the money to meet maintenance. They have done excellently to provide the capital cost. The Zoo must be made to pay its way. and T believe that it can he done with the reasonable charge which is to be imposed. Time alone can prove this matter."

(Published by Arransement.l