ZOOLOGICAL PARK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 141, 16 June 1936, Page 14

ZOOLOGICAL PARK.

HIGH UPKEEP COST. CRITICISM BY THE MAYOR. METROPOLITAN PLAN URGED. "To me the zoo is somewhat reminiscent of the ancient days of the Roman and the Greek, and is out o£ harmony with present day conceptions of culture and religious teaching," said the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, >n his financial report to the City Council last evening. Mr. Davis said that the cost of the zoo last year was £4290, and in addition to £30,000 loan money and appropriations from the general account, about £55,000 had been expended on its development. If interest; and sinking fund were charged, the net cost to the city would approximate £0000 a year. "The unsatisfactory financial position of the zoo cannot be allowed to continue," said the Mayor. "The progressive deficiency must be arrested. 1 have often thought that there Is a certain morbidity in looking at animals, especially wild beasts, in captivity, and I have questioned the educational value of such exhibits, more particularly in these days, when illustrated books and moving pictures, dealing so fully with animal life, supply the need. Already in South Africa, big game hunting has become a decadent pastime, and is being supplemented by the practice, by erstwhile hunters, of making cinematograph records of wild animals in their natural state. In the meantime, however, I consider that metropolitan assistance for the upkeep of the zoo should be sought."