THE SUGGESTED ZOO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18117, 15 June 1922, Page 6

THE SUGGESTED ZOO.

There is apparently a fairly strong feeling in Auckland that the opportunity now presented of securing the nucleus of a zoo for the city should not be missed. Ten lions are available and unless they are purchased for the purpose of establishing a zoo they are likely to be destroyed for the value of their skins. So far the City Council has shown no sympathy with the project, and doubtless there is much to be said for its attitude, as guardian of the city finances, of thinking twice before launching out now upon what may fairly be regarded as luxury expenditure. But in spite of the adverse times the City Council would be well advised to look ahead to the establishment of zoological gardens in Auckland. In other cities they are the source of much pleasure and instruction, and •if well managed an Auckland zoo could probably be made to pay for itself. It is not so clear that the city would have either a sufficiently interesting or profitable collection if it purchased the lions now available. Ten lions do not make a zoo. If the council made the purchase it would have too many lions on its hands and would be committed to a search for other animals to make up an attractive zoo. Something, of course, might be done by way of exchange with the managers of zoological gardens in other parts of the world, and eventually by this process, and by purchase or gift, the city might gather a representative collection of animals. But it would be folly of the council, even if it is disposed to revise its previous decision, to purchase the lions until it has decided where it will keep them. The Domain and Cornwall Park have been suggested, but objection has been taken to the Domain in the interests of the hospital, and there might easily be the same sort of opposition from the neighbourhood of Cornwall Park as drove Mr. Boyd from Onehunga. Possibly a site further afield could be secured, but whatever is done, the first line of inquiry would appear to be whether a site suitable for a zoo is available either at Cornwall Park or elsewhere.