LIZARDS, TORTOISES AND NEWTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3174, 27 August 1917, Page 9

LIZARDS, TORTOISES AND NEWTS

$ A CITY COUNCIL INTERLUDE. Hearty laughter rang through the Council Chamber on Thursday .evening, wlien Councillor John Castlo tried to make clear that he had asked Councillor Frost (chairman of the Reserves Committee) a number of questions about the alloged disappearance from the aquarium of the iioo of certain of its inhabitants. Tho answer to those questions (as they were understood) was given in tho committee's report, as follows: — "Tho committee liavo to report that on sections of a question raised by . Councillor Castlo as to tho death' of certain lizards, tortoises, and Japanese newts in ■the Zoo, tho curator was instructed to report on the matter to the committee. Tho following is tho report of tho curator:— .

'"In reference to your inquiry re lizards, tortoises, and Japanese newts - . I liavo four Japanese newts. Wo have not lost nny through death, and wo still have tlio two tortoises. At present these reptiles aro hibernating and cannot. 1)0 disturbed. Councillor Castlo should know this with his knowlodgo of zoology. Tho green lizard (Now Zealand) escaped somehow through tho top of tho cage, but theso reptiles aro fairly hero; wo have thorn oven in the park.'' Councillor Castle, amidst laughter, pointed out that tho questions had boon put to Councillor Frost, and what lie hud got was a report from tho curator. 110 did not ask for that report-did not want it. Councillor H. F. Luckio: .Ho was tho ono to supply tho information. Councillor Castle protested that only a fow of his many questions had been answered in tho report—a few had been picked out. Ho then proceeded to read out an interminably long list of questions about Japaneso' newts, lizards, tortoises, etc., amidst a pood deal of laughter, ana waß following it up by reading a speech ho had prepared on tho subject when tho Mayor stated that ho was not allowed to read a speech. ' Finally Councillor Castlo moved that tho clau6o in the report bo referred back, but ho failed to find 11 seconder, and tho report wag adopted.