TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT 75 



should be undertaken, the work of this department has lagged 

 behind the activities of former years. 



THE IMPROVEMENT AND REPAIR FUND. 



Only two items were charged to this fund during the year. 



Lio7i House Cage-deck Roof. — The copper surfacing of the 

 cage-deck of the Lion House, that has leaked for more than ten 

 years despite the many repairs made upon it, was by expert roof- 

 ers pronounced hopeless. This was due to the many obstruc- 

 tions in the surface caused by the skylight and ventilators, which 

 prevented the necessary expansion and contraction of the metal. 

 For this reason a new bituminous roof surface was applied. 

 The contract was awarded to the C. T. New Construction Co. 

 The difficulties in obtaining materials, and the many demands 

 of the Government upon the contractors, delayed the work to a 

 certain extent. It finally was carried to a successful conclusion 

 before the advent of bad weather, and for the first time since the 

 building was erected, the Lion House has a thoroughly water- 

 tight roof. 



Neiv Boiler histallation in the Monkeij House. — As the old 

 boilers in this building had been gradually failing and needed 

 to be replaced, it was determined to alter the location of one of 

 them so as to bring it nearer the smokestack, instead of thirty 

 feet away. A new boiler pit was excavated in the rock bottom 

 of the cellar, and the pit concreted and connected with the sewer. 

 A boiler — Pierce, Butler & Pierce down-draft type — was in- 

 stalled, and connected with the heating system of the building. 

 The entire installation has proven very successful, and I believe 

 that its entire cost will soon be saved because of the fact that 

 pea coal can be used as fuel instead of the more costly sizes of 

 coal formerly used. The chimneys of this building were in a 

 dangerous condition, necessitating their removal nearly to the 

 roof line. They were rebuilt and extended four feet in height. 



Walk and Road Repairs. — Only the most necessary work 

 was done on the roads; our efl'orts being confined largely to re- 

 pairs on the Service Road. In order to keep the walks up to the 

 former standard, it will be necessary to do a great deal of re- 

 pairing in 1919. 



Repairs iyi Buildinf/s. — Since the old shed at the Elk Range 

 was too dilapidated to warrant further repairs, a new shelter, 



