ZOO MATTERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20, 24 January 1912, Page 3

ZOO MATTERS.

» ■ ■ SOME ADDITIONS. Mr- D. C. Bates, who was the originator of the ' Wellington Zoo, and who returned from Australia to-day, interested himself in zoological matters during his trip. He was shown round the Melbourne Zoo by Mr. A. D. Le Soeuf , who has t several animals for sale, which could be procured at small cost for the Wellington Zoo. The director, Mr. Bates told a Post representative today, had just landed a young lion and two lionesses from the Dublin Zoo, and he wanted £80 for one of the latter. Mr. Bates thought this sum rather much, but Mr. Le"Soauf stated that this was the actual cost. At Sydney, Mr. Bates was shown by Mr. A. ~S. Le Soeuf the present Zoo at Moore Park, and also the site at Athol Gardens, covering 60 acres, which is being dedicated by the Government for the National Zoo. Tho spot is beautifully situated on the harbour near the Heads. About three years will be needed to build it' up on the magnificent plan, laid down. When completed, this Zoo will be one of the greatest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, because its inhabitants will . be mostly out of doors and apparently at large. " They will have the nearest, possible approach to liberty and natural environment. 'Advantage will be taken of every natural undulation, rock or tree, and the Zoo will be con- | »tructed on scientific principles, making a | gigantic plavgrcund for the inhabitants, and a popular resort for residents and j «i*itors. Mr. Bates added that the attendance i at the Melbourne and Sydney Zoos had I almost doubled during the past year or so, owing no doubt to new attractions' and to an awakened public interest in natural history. In each city sixpence i«s charged for admission except on Sundays. The receipts under this head at Sydney cover all the expenses' of running tho institution, ahd the Government subsidy of £3000 per annum has been capitalised for the development of the new *Zoo. A visit to Mr. R. M'Pherson, bird dealer, George-street, Sydney, led him to offer three fine Australian iguanas and an Australia/i crane for the Wellington Zoo. Mr. Bates also secured a very large iguana for the muesum at the Newtown Library. These specimens wero brought over by the Moeraki to-