ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20864, 5 May 1931, Page 11

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

PAST YEAR'S ACTIVITIES. INTERESTING THE YOUNG. A proposal is contained in the annual report of the Auckland Zoological Society, to be presented at the annual meeting on May 19, that, in addition to broadcast talks, arrangements might be made for a series of lectures to be given to members in the coming year, as excellent and interesting material was available. The report states that whereas in some small measure the depression through which the country has been passin&jJrad affected the society's activities, the attitude of members toward its future had been consistently one of optimism. The society had a cash balance at the end of the financial year of £222, compared with £156 at the end of the previous financial year. The society co operated with tho Acclimatisation Society in an endeavour to have the protection of stoats and weasels removed and it was gratifying to note that the Government had now taken steps in that direction. There was no doubt that when these animals were introduced into New Zealand with a view to coping with the rabbit nuisance, some of the Dominion's ground birds were placed in danger of becoming extinct. As a matter of fact, at that time it was predicted by Professor Newton, of Cambridge, that these rodents probably would attack the ground birds first, and that actually proved to bfi the case, (he kiwi, especially, proving an easy \ictinj. Two matters which the board of managers thought should be kept in mind for attention as opportunity offered and_ funds permitted were the issue of a well-illus-trated bulletin concerning the Zoological Park and the obtaining of a motion picture camera for suitable films of the Zoological Park and of native fauna.

The report refers to a general expression of opinion among members of the desirability of interesting younger people in the activities of the society, as a result of which it was decided to hold an essay competition. Although the number of essavs received had not been as large as was desired, several schools had taken advantage of the competition. The secretary had the co-operal on of the commercial agent of the Railways Depart incut in bringing under the notice «> country schools tho desirability of school children spending a day al the Zooiogicai Park.