1910. Irish Societies. 51 



Early in the year the Committee which had been charged \ty the 

 City of Dublin Corporation to relieve the distress arising from want of 

 employment, placed a number of the men free of charge at the disposal 

 of the Council. Under Mr. F. W. Moore's direction, the}^ repaired the 

 existing walks, and constructed several new ones which had been 

 urgently needed, so that the men were most useful in carrying out a 

 piece of work which will eventually benefit the citizens of Dublin. 



The rebuilding of the old Lion House was a great event in the 

 history of the Gardens. The plans had been long and carefully 

 considered by a special Committee, the whole system of new cages con- 

 aining several entirel}- novel features. Every cage in the new house 

 consists of two divisions, one of which is partly above the other and can 

 be used when the first division requires cleaning or when an animal is 

 shifted along to another den. Another improvement is one which has 

 already been successful!}' tried in New York, and which the Committee, 

 charged with the consideration of the plans wisely recommended to the 

 Council for adoption. The difference between the heavy iron bars, 

 which greatly obstruct the views of the Liens, Tigers, and Panthers, 

 and the new steel wire fronts is a most striking one, and the members 

 of the Press, who were invited on the i6th September, when the first 

 section of the new house was opened, were loud in their praises of this 

 innovation. The work, which is now completed, was carried out by the 

 architects, Messrs. Batchelor and Hicks, of Dublin ; an esteemed member 

 of Council, Mr. C.J. M'Carthy, giving, wherever possible, the benefit of 

 his advice. Minor alterations, repairs, and improvements were almost 

 constantly made in other buildings. These included during the past 

 year repairs to the Aquarium tanks, the Giraffe House, Monkey House. 

 Nesbitt Aviar}', the usual extensive painting, and some necessary 

 drainage operations. 



No new buildings, other than the Lion House, could be attempted. 

 Even as it is, the Society was to some extent in debt at the end of the 

 year. Many new schemes, however, have been mooted as desirable 

 whenever funds are available. More cages for Birds are urgently wanted 

 especially for those requiring heat ; the Rears require better accommo- 

 dation ; the Reptiles and Amphibians want more room and more light. 

 It has been suggested by some enthusiasts that these neglected creatures 

 ought not to share a house with diving birds and fishes, but that they 

 are of sufficient importance to possess a home of their own. In that case 

 a new Aquarium would have to be built. This in itself would be a boon 

 to the Gardens. The existing structure certainly cannot be said to be 

 suitable for the purposes for which it was intended. Some think the 

 Badgers and Foxes should have a proper ornamental enclosure, where 

 they can be seen at all times. Others would spend money on laying out 

 the far side of the lake with large runs for the Deer, and provide mud 

 baths so that the Wild Boar might be seen wallowing in his element. 

 An Ostrich House is considered by some as the greatest desideratum of 

 all. It has often been spoken about. Finally, many members of the 

 Council are agreed that an Hospital, where the sick can be tended, where 

 newly arriving ruminant animals can be deposited during their state- 

 imposed period of isolation, and where every new comer may remain fo 



