FERNERY-AVIARY

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24370, 23 September 1944, Page 5

FERNERY-AVIARY

Sir, —I am writing this letter to tryto get the public and all bird lovers to take an interest in this splendid idea of having an aviary in the Public Gardens. I believe there is a legacy of £IOOO, which no doubt could be increased by the public. The native birds are a great asset to New Zealand, but I am afraid they are disappearing. It will b.e an. excellent idea to have them where the.public, can see and take an interest in .them, .1 think that if the Domains. Board can obtain-Mr-Edgar Stead’s advice and assistance it woerid be an .excellent thing; and with the advi.ee. of some of .these-men-a-first-class aviary- can be erected. It would be a credit to our city* I see Mr Wilding. on the City Council, is developing this, and I hope the councillors will give him full support.—Yours, etc., BIRD LOVER I. September 21, 1944. Sir, —I regret- that the establishment of 'an aviary for native birds is not receiving the consideration which it deserves, but 1 am glad that the matter is to be reopened at the next City Council meeing. Sir Walter Buffer, in the supplement to his monumental work, states: “His Excellency Lord Onslow directed the attention of his Ministers to the fact that many of the native species under the changed conditions of existence were passing away.’’ and said that “it would be a lasting reproach to the present generation of colonists if no attempt were made to save some—if only a remnant —of these expiring forms for the student of the future.” These remarks of this eminent scientist will. I hope, require no words of mine to bring home the importance of the matter to the authorities in charge of the Domain, — Yours, etc..

„ BIRD LOVER 11. September 22, 1944, Sir, —In the main the idea of having a combined fernery and aviary quite appeals to me. unless it involves immediate building expenses. Everything should be concentrated on overcoming the housing shortage, and nothing should be allowed to interfere with that problem. People talk glibly about new schools, new churches, new hospitals and public buildings of all kinds, but they can’t have it both ways. Patch them' up, I say, arid make them do until the housing problem is over. The new railway shed is an example of what oould.be done without, as it represents many residences which our soldiers could do with now, and its also represents work that our soldiers might be glad of after they are comfortably housed. A good start could be made with the fernery and aviary, as the first thing to do is to plant suitable cover frees for both ferns and birds.—Yours, etc., T.A.S September 22, 1944.