A CHRISTCHURCH ZOO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12405, 24 August 1918, Page 8

A CHRISTCHURCH ZOO.

HON G. W. RUSSELL S3 SYMPATHETIC. LIVE FISH MIGHT BE A FEATURE. Tile Hon G. AV. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, is a very strong supporter of the proposal to establish a zoo at Christchurch, but he told a reporter yesterday that it was not one of the functions of the Acclimatisation Society to provide a zoo, and it had no sources of revenue from whidi the work could be done. It was rather a matter for the City Council and tho suburban boroughs, and the Progress League might very well have cognisance of the scheme as one likely to afford another attraction to tho many that Christchurch already possesses. At Wellington, Mr Russell stated, tho zoo at Newtown was largely under the control of an outside society, of " hich the Rev J. Crewes, who once stood for Parliament at Christchurch, was chairman. Excellent work had been done there, and slowly but steadily a representative collection was being brought together. On e of the features of the Wellington zoo was the exceedingly good collection of live fish. Remembering the magnificent collection at^the Christchurch Exhibition, ho was quite sure that a similar collection would be a valuable addition to tho acclimatisation gardens,-which were already a centre of great attraction. With such a collection the society might bo able to make a charge which would substantially increase its revenue, or tho voluntary contributions should be much greater than they had been hitherto.

So far as it was in his power as Minister of Internal Affairs, to assist any movement of the kind in Christchurch, Air Russell added, lie would be prepared to give every assistance. At the same time he was rather doubtful whether the public could he induced to take ,n, great interest in the matter while tho war was on.