tgig. Irish Societies. 39 



includes over ^5 sent in as voluntary gifts by various members during 

 the earlier months of the year, before any suggestion for a special appeal 

 had been considered. The year closed with a deficit of only ^86, as 

 compared with ;^385 at the end of 191 7. 



No changes of importance have taken place in administration during 

 the year. Repairs have been kept within the limits of absolute necessity, 

 and no new building work has been undertaken. For the usual three 

 vacancies on the Council, General Sir Joseph Byrne, Chief Inspector of 

 the Royal Irish Constabulary ; Prof. James Craig, of the Royal Veterinary 

 College ; and Mr. W. Barrington Jellett have been nominated. 



It has always been the Council's practice to offer respectful welcome 

 to each incoming Irish Viceroy. Lord French was good enough to 

 consent to visit the Gardens in order to receive an Address on the 

 afternoon of July 8th, and the occasion was celebrated by a successful 

 Garden Party. 



As already stated, it has been decided to organise a Fete in the Gardens 

 during June (on the nth, 12th, 13th and 14th, Wednesday to Saturday 

 of Whitsun week, inclusive). The Council did not take this important 

 step until assurance of support had been received from many members : 

 it is cheering to record that a sum of ;^30o has already been paid or 

 guaranteed towards the expenses. Some such effort is regarded as 

 advisable, because the Council wishes not only to extinguish the debt 

 but to obtain a substantial sum of money — ^3,000 is aimed at — which 

 will be available for necessary reconstruction accompanying the return 

 to peace conditions. Animals will soon come into the market, and 

 ought to be purchased, and extensive renovation of several of the existing 

 buildings and enclosures is highly desirable for the sake of the health 

 and comfort of the animals. The Council is entrusting the details of 

 the Fete to an influential Committee, including many ladies. Mr. A. 

 Miller, Royal College of Surgeons, has kindly consented to act as Honorary 

 Secretary of this Committee, and any communications about the Fete, 

 contributions towards its expenses, or promises of help will be gratefully 

 received by him (such should not be sent to the Secretary of the Society). 

 Contributions will also be gladly accepted by either of the Honorary 

 Treasurers of the Fete Committee — the Right Hon. Jonathan Hogg and 

 Mr. C. Wisdom Hely. 



Further depletion of the stock in the Gardens has again been a feature 

 of the year's changes. There is, however, every reason to hope that, 

 with a speedy revival of imports and the anticipated increase in the 

 funds at the Council's disposal, a marked improvement in the collections 

 will soon be apparent. Meanwhile it has been considered advisable to 

 make use of some of the vacant paddocks for the display of useful domestic 

 breeds of Goats and Poultry. The importance of Goats as a source of 

 auxiliary milk supply and of Poultry, whether for egg production or 

 flesh-food, justifies the estabhshment of such exhibits. Poultry are 

 especially attractive as suitable live-stock for householders with small 

 ground, whether in town or country. Six Goats of the favourite Anglo- 

 Nubian and Toggenburg breeds are already on view. The Poultry 



