without in any degree impairing the general efEciency of that 

 department ; and the Committee hope that^ by a rigid examina- 

 tion into the working and necessities of other branches, they 

 may be able to recommend still more extensive retrenchments. 

 Owing to complaints of irregularity on the part of the late con- 

 tractor for working the steam-engine, a Committee of Council 

 was appointed shortly after the last Anniversary Meeting to 

 investigate and report on the matter ; and the result of their 

 labours was a recommendation to the Council to hire an 

 engineer and work the engine in future on their own account. 

 This recommendation has been adopted with the best effect ; 

 the supply of water has been more abundant than formerly, 

 though the pumps work only three or four days a week, the 

 engineer's spare time being usefully employed in various odd 

 jobs about the Gardens, and the saving in coals amounting to 

 between £50 and £60 per annum. 



But the Committee do not confine their labours to the re- 

 duction of expenditure. It is likewise a part of their duty 

 to inquire into and suggest means for the improvement of the 

 receipts. With this view it has been suggested that the 

 addition of a military band to play in the Gardens on certain 

 Saturdays in the months of May, June, and July, might be 

 the means of maintaining, and even increasing the interest 

 which the public have so long manifested in the Gardens. 

 This plan, as is well known, has been adopted with the best 

 effect by the Horticultural and Royal Botanical Societies ; it 

 is at present under the consideration of the Council, and their 

 determination will be announced to the Fellows of the Society 

 on the distribution of the present Report. 



The Council further hope that the completion of the Museum 

 and New Carnivora Terrace now in process of erection at the 

 Gardens, by materially increasing the general attractions, will 

 be the means of drawing additional visitors, and adding to the 

 future income of the Society. 



b. Assets and Liabilities. 

 The available assets of the Society, that is to say, the actual 

 assets, exclusive of Stock, buildings and other property at the 

 Gardens and Museum, amounted on the 31st of December to 



