THE WELLINGTON ZOO

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 39, 14 August 1926, Page 15

THE WELLINGTON ZOO

(To tha Editor.) ] Sir,—May I, as the originator of. the movement resulting in a letter from the Wellington S.P.C.A. being sent to ratepayers' associations, be granted space to stress one or two points in connection therewith? Your recent article "Wellington's Zoo" makes it clear that from the present income the most that can be expected is that "there is a possibility of the books balancing up fairly well at the end of this year, but only if very strict economy—meaning no expensive improvements —is exercised." Whence then can come the money for very necessary alterations? If a loan be contemplated the expense will still be borne by the ratepayers, who seem by no means enthusiastic.

Some stress has been laid upon the

idea that the prospective elephant will earn its keep. I learn from an authoritative source that the animal is two years old, and about four feet high. The elephant takes 25 years to reach maturity, and presumably some years will elapse before this animal can be expected to cany a burden.

In our plea for retrenchment we have encountered the argument that further animate are necessary in order to improve the 1 Zoo. For the last 15 years these socalled improvements have been steadily acquired, with the result that exists today. Perhaps the least difficult • way of disposing of the out-of-date Zoo would be to allow its present occupants to live out their allotted span with every possible amelioration of their lot which existing funds may provide. It is in the hope that this course may be adopted, and that the City Council may refrain from accepting further exhibits, while there is no certain prospect of satisfactorily housing existing inmates, that I have tried to arouse public mterest.—l am, etc., C. CHRISTIE (S.P.C.A. Committee member).