THE ZOO.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1608, 27 November 1912, Page 4

THE ZOO.

MINISTER'S ASSISTANCE SOUGHT. SANCTUARIES AND EXCHANGES. • Members of the Wellington Zoological Jas. Alien, yesterday '6n"tlie subject ."of bird and' animal sanctuaries,-, and also in regard to; exchanges of-, 'New. ■ Zealand;fauna for ■animals from .other parts of. the world. The .deputation, was', introduced by Mr. 58.'- A; Wright, and its objects were explained by the Kev.. J. Crewes. ■ -Mr. Crewes said that at a meeting of the British Zoological Association, recently held at Dundee, Dr. Mitchell, secretary of the London Zoological Society, and director of'ithe London Zoo, delivered :a very important address, touching more, .'especially the preservation of fauna that, were on. tho point of extinction. In- New , Zealand, said Mr. Crewes; there were some birds that were of great interest-to the whole world, notably the huia and the great spotted kiwi. The necessity of protecting these birds, and also the tuatara lizard, had been impressed upon tho late Government before Dr. Mitchell delivered his speech at Dundee. *In one passage of . his speech, Dr. Mitchell mentioned the sanctuary.- that - had been established in the-United States, and went on to say: "We ought to.have similar sanctuaries'in every country of the world, national parks; secured for a.ll time against; all the changes ,and chances of. the nations, ;byinternational agreement." The Heal Zoological Society, 'Mr'.' Crewes continued,' had ventured to approach the Minister, as representing the Education Department of tlie Dominion, in order to ask him if he would take an opportunity when he visited London, of meeting Dr. Mitch-ell arid consulting him in regard to sanctuaries.. There were several sanctuaries in New Zealand, but unfortunately the principal one—at ICapiti Island—was only a partial sanctuary. In a democratic country like this, there was a danger that' an influential association might be formed at' any time to give undue influence to sport. The enormous destruction of animals in the United States had broucht home to the Government the neoessity of providing sanctuaries, and it was just as necessary that steps should be taken in New Zealand to protect tho huia, the kiwi, and tho tuatara. _ Another suggestion which Mr. Crewes made on behalf of the deputation was that Mr. Allen should endeavour, while in England, to arrange with Dr. Mitchell for the exchange of s New Zealand fauna for animals which could be spared from the London Zoo. Mr. Crewes said that his society had already been in communication with Dr. Mitchell on this subject, and tho latter had stated that he would be glad to get almost any of the New Zealand birds. At the Wellington Zoo, Mr. Crewes mentioned, .£2OO had been spent in providing a houso and yard for a brown bear. A mate for this animal was wanted, also a chimpanzee and a pair of swans of a new variety, white, with black heads and necks. Possibly these animals could be obtained from London iby way of exchange. ' "Mri Allen said ,-tliat any help he could Rive to the society while in Great Britain he would be only too pleased to give. Something' had been done, in the way of putting aside sanctuaries, to preserve the fauna of New Zealand, and he agreed that this was a laudable thing to do. He-was very sorry indeed that some of the New Zealand birds and animals were becoming extinct. While in London he would see Dr. Mitchell, and talk the whole thing over with him, and he would report the result to the society unon his return. Ho would also speak to Dr. Mitchell .' about and if he could arrange any that would be satisfactory to the Zoological Society he would be only to glad to do it. In answer to the Minister, Mr. .Crewes said that the society would ask the Government to undertake tho collection of New Zealand fauna for purposes? of exchange.' If the Government >vould not do this, he would n«k the Minister to tain from Dr. Mitchell tho conditions upon which he would, supply Wellington with a brown bear, a chimpanzee, and a pair of black and white swans.',;.' . The Minister said that he would be very pleased indeed to comply with the latter request. The times were not favourable for asking the Government for financial assistance, but he would .bring tho request, of.the society before his colleagues. Meantime he could make no promise.