92 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
dangers encountered during previous seasons. In order to en- 
courage boating on week days, it was decided to put into effect 
special rates for all days except Sundays and holidays. This 
arrangement proved to be a success, and materially increased the 
business on week days. Before the close of the season it became 
apparent that another launch was needed to take care of the 
increasing business; therefore arrangements were made for the 
purchase of another electric launch, of the same type as those 
now in use, early in the coming season. 
New Boat-House Dock.—The wooden dock constructed at the 
time the Boat-House was built, five years ago, is now badly 
decayed, and much in need of repairs. The building of a new 
permanent concrete dock is an urgent necessity, and it was 
hoped funds for this purpose could be secured so that the work 
could be done after the close of the boating season. 
Some repairs will, no doubt, have to be made to the present 
dock in order to get through the season of 1912, if, as now seems 
probable, an appropriation for the work is not forthcoming in 
the very near future. 
When built, the new dock should provide some shade by the 
erection of a pergola-like structure along the edge of the dock. 
Gate Receipts.—The receipts at the entrances from admis- 
sions on pay days has become the source of a satisfactory income 
for the increase of the animal collections, the gross receipts from 
the sale of tickets on pay days going direct to the credit of the 
animal fund. The figures for the year 1911 were fully up to 
those of previous years. 
Riding Animals.—The receipts from this source can be con- 
siderably increased by the addition of a riding elephant to the 
present attractions. The Director has consented to the use of 
the female of the pair of African elephants for this purpose when 
sufficiently matured, and it is hoped that arrangements can be 
made for its use during the coming season. 
Band Concerts.—Our application to the Board of Estimate 
and Apportionment for a modest sum for the cost of band con- 
certs in the year 1911 having been denied, it was decided not to 
give concerts during the summer. For two or three years previ- 
ous the expense of these concerts was borne by the Privilege 
Department, in the hope that the needed appropriation would be 
forthcoming. In our judgment, the large attendance at the park 
during the summer fully justified the expenditure from city funds 
