VISITORS TO ZOO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23216, 9 December 1938, Page 14

VISITORS TO ZOO

f EXTENSION OF HOURS I ' it'-:'. ; , " Experiment for two months I Extension of the hours during which jthe public may visit' the Zoological ; !P?rk at week-ends in the summer was Approved by f the. . City Council last Slight. The decision was. reached followSnf : tfc&'riec£ipt Iby r the'farfel Committee of a report from the curator of the zoo, Colonel E. It. Sawer. The report stated that under existing arrangements, admission to the too ceased at 4.30 p.m. and the grounds Trere closed at 5 p.m. It was Bubmitted that during the summe> such ft time-table limited attendance and prevented the exhibition of animals and birds to the best advantage. Visitors found, the afternoon heat very trying and particularly the final climb to the main gate before the sun set, while most of the exhibits were asleep during the heat of the day. On the other hand, both the zoological collection and the gardens were' at their be&t in the cool of the evening,, but were closed to the public at that time',, an arrangement which was the subject of much legitimate criticism. Authority was sought to keep the gates open until 7 p.m. and clear the grounds at 7.30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays during December and January as an experiment, and check- the effect on attendance. The Only additional expenditure involved would be the payment of five hours' overtime weekly to the two gatekeepers, amounting to £1 15s. • • ' Colonel Sawer also considered that the expenditure of less than £1 a week on advertising a concern in which the Council had invested over £IOO,OOO, hardly conformed with soiind business principles. The council adopted the suggestions, and also agreed to increase the advertising of the too. ;