102 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
The completed dock is a most substantial and satisfactory 
improvement; of the kind that all permanent improvements 
should be. The slip or inlet provided for the launches is a great 
success, adding a large amount of dock room for the handling 
of row boats, which was very badly needed. 
The further improvements required at the dock in the near 
future are, the replacing of the old, narrow plank extension on 
the north end with concrete, and the erection of a suitable can- 
opy or awning, for shade, over the central portion of the dock. 
Boat House Restaurant.—While the gross receipts for the 
year at the Boat House Restaurant increased somewhat over 
last year, it was impossible to make an improved showing in 
the net results. All restaurant supplies advanced materially 
during the year. Although our prices for food are very much 
below those charged elsewhere for a similar class of service, it 
seemed best to maintain our prices unchanged throughout the 
year. If prices for supplies continue to advance, changes will 
have to be made in the menu. 
Soda Water.—This branch of the privileges was more seri- 
ously affected than any other by the unfavorable conditions that 
prevailed throughout the entire season, particularly through the 
absence of visitors in the months of July and August. The 
gross receipts showed a reduction for the season of 16% per 
cent. While the unsatisfactory showing in this division can be, 
in a great measure, accounted for by the conditions referred to 
previously, it is also a fact, that many improvements have been 
made in soda fountain equipment during the last five years. 
Nevertheless, it is true that all of our fountains now are nearly 
ten years old and they have become almost obsolete because of 
the recent improvements that have been made by manufacturers 
in construction and in designs. To-day our equipment is not 
up to the standard that will be found in the ordinary confec- 
tionery store. It gradually must be replaced and brought up to a 
standard equal to the best to be found elsewhere. 
Refreshment service in public parks, to be successful, must 
now conform in all respects to the best standards. With this 
fact in mind, we have been making an unsuccessful effort for 
several years to secure an appropriation for the construction of 
a new concrete building for refreshment purposes to replace the 
present rapidly decaying wooden shelter near the Reptile House. 
