WONDERFUL GROWTH

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11177, 5 April 1922, Page 3

WONDERFUL GROWTH

THE CITY’S ZOO . * _____ LATEST RETURNS OF RECEIPTS AND COSTS. WHAT THE GATES EARN. “Wellington may be noted for laxity where its own interests are concerned,” it was remarked yesterday to a “Times” reporter, “but the success it fias made of the Zoo—one of the finest in this hemisphere—shows what Wellington can do when it undertakes a thing.” BEGAN WITH ONE LION. Visiting the Zoological Gardens today one would not dream that, sixteen years ago, they were not in existence, or that when they were found the “collection” consisted of one animal. However, from such humble origin, has risen the magnificent and valuable collection of birds and beasts that in these days are visited by hundreds every week of the year. Because of its importance as an attraction within the city, and as an educational facility, a little of the early history of the Zoo may bear telling. The institution had its beginning in 1906, when Messrs Bostock and Wombwell, of menagerie fame, presented a young lion to the city at the close of thfeir season here. The junior representative of the King of Beasts family was an object of much curiosity, but for a while he was the solo occupant of the premises. He was the whole Zoo. DONATIONS AND PURCHASES. A committee of enthusiasts was at, work, however, and it purchased a collection of animals in Australia. The collection was small, but it was very interesting, and the reception accorded it encouraged the committee to extend its operations. At about this time the Duke, of Bedford, then president of the London Zoological Society, presented to the city a valuable collection, consisting of .thar and axis deer, and sent it out from England at his own expense. , A present of Some white storks from (no Wellington postal officials next' came alqhg, and by these and other means the -Zoo expanded till to-day there are some 700 animals there. Still the collection grows, for every now and then some enthusiast makes a donation to the authorities. Besides the janimals there is a most beautiful collection of birds, and also the aquarium that figured largely in the Auckland exhibition. THE FINANCIAL SIDE. Recently the finances of the Zoo were mentioned in the course of a discussion in the Legislature, and yesterday the latest figures were obtained by a representative of the “Times.” From these it appears that the cost to the city (or the difference between receipts and expenditure) in recent years has been about £2500 per annum, but that it is on the increase. In 1919 the receipts totalled £1231, and the expenditure £3653, leaving a deficit of £2422. In 1920 the -balance against the Zoo was almost the same, the receipts being £1338, the expenditure £3757, and the debit balance £2419. In 1921 the cost increased by a couple of hundred' pounds. Tho expenditure was £3990 and the income £1294, a shortage of £2696. For the eleven months of the present year (to February 28tli) £4015 has been expended and £ll6O has been received, a balance of £2855 against the institution. There is a charge of sixpence for the admission of adults on week davs, but Sunday is a free day, and this charge is the source of most of the revenue. Of the £1231 received in 1919, £1067 came from t-lft sixpences collected at the gate. In 1920 tho gate receipts were £1235, and in 1921 they totalled £1226. For eleven months of the year which ended last Friday, £1036 has been taken at the gates.