EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 99 



secured, and that was the building of a small addition to the cel- 

 lar, adjoining the kitchen, that would permit the removal of the 

 large storage ice-box from the kitchen, effecting at once great 

 economy in refrigeration and improved service, both highly im- 

 portant matters in the operation of any restaurant. 



It is hoped that this much-needed improvement may be 

 secured in 1914. 



The present staff of employees at the Boat House is doing 

 excellent work. That it is giving a generally improved service 

 is conclusively shown by the increased business. 



Boating. — No further additions were made to the boating 

 equipment during 1913, except the purchase of a small number 

 of flat-bottomed wooden row-boats, to replace those that were 

 beyond repair, thus maintaining the equipment at the original 

 standard. 



As usual, during the latter part of May and the months of 

 June and July, on Sundays, our resources were taxed to the ut- 

 most. The business for the season was well above that of any 

 previous year. 



Again we were most fortunate in not having a serious acci- 

 dent of any kind in connection with the boating. In fact, there 

 was a noticeable absence of the minor accidents which are every- 

 where so common in public boating. 



Funds for the new concrete dock, which has been in con- 

 templation for several years, were not forthcoming. The tem- 

 porary repairs made last season to the old dock carried it 

 through in fairly good condition, and it may be made to serve 

 another season by further repairs. The new dock, however, is 

 a much needed improvement that ought to be made at the earli- 

 est possible date. 



Gate Receipts. — We are able to report a very substantial 

 increase in the year's receipts from paid admissions at the en- 

 trances. In fact it is noticed in glancing back over the records 

 that there have been but two exceptions to the rule of a yearly 

 increase. 



Receipts at the gates on pay days have more than doubled 

 in the last ten years. 



Riding Animals. — There have been, I am sorry, to report, no 

 favorable developments since last season toward providing chil- 

 dren with a riding elephant. We are still depending on the Di- 



