23 



INCOME. 



The prominent feature in the foregoing Statement is the 

 large deficit in the Income of the year 1837, as compared with 

 the preceding year ; the falling oif in the Receipts at the Gates, 

 under the head of Admissions to Gardens, amounting to up- 

 wards of £3800. This large reduction may be in part attri- 

 buted to the very cold, inclement spring, and late summer of 

 the past year. In the Admission Fees of new Members there 

 is a deficit of £550, which, in addition to the cause stated 

 above, may be accounted for by the probability of the Society's 

 having now attained nearly its maximum as to the number of 

 Members. To these two heads may be added a smaller amount 

 of arrears of debts from preceding years, being £288 less in 

 the lapsed year than in 1836. A reference to the foregoing 

 abstract will show that the diminution in the Income of the 

 Society is chiefly embraced under the three heads above al- 

 luded to. 



Your Committee are sorry to see under the head of " Re- 

 ceipts" the sale of £200 Exchequer Bills. 



EXPENDITURE. 



Your Committee of Auditors approach the subject of Ex- 

 penditure with an earnest feeling of respect towards the Coun- 

 cil; they feel themselves bound, nevertheless, to notice that 

 the recommendation of the Auditors of 1836, urging "the 

 absolute necessity of blending judicious economy, with libe- 

 rality, in the administration of the affairs of the Society," has 

 not been carried to the extent of satisfying their reasonable 

 expectations, although it must have been evident to the Council, 

 from an early period in the year, that the Income would fall 

 short as compared with previous years. The heads of Salaries 

 and Wages are referred to as being higher than any year since 

 the formation of the Society, although there does not appear 

 to have been any increase of animals so as to warrant an in- 

 creased expenditure. 



While on the head of Expenditure, your Auditors have to 

 express their sui-prise that upwards of £717 should be sunk 

 in Subjects and Preparations, when it must be evident to every 



