96 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



pages occurred during cold weather, but the last one, occurring 

 on December 25, with the temperature at 14 degrees above zero, 

 threatened serious results, when the water in the boiler-pit in 

 the Elephant House rose above the grates of the boilers and 

 extinguished the fires. It was only through the help of the Fire 

 Department and unceasing work of the Park force for days 

 and nights that the situation was saved from being calamitous. 



EAST SIDE. 



East Side. — The sections east of the Bronx River and be- 

 tween the Boston Road and the river were kept policed and 

 as clean as was possible with the reduced force at our disposal. 

 The demand for picnic spaces was unusually large, and 143 

 picnic permits embracing 18,933 persons were issued. With the 

 help of the Police Department, order was maintained, in spite 

 of the fact that now and then a magistrate would not take 

 seriously such violations of the Park ordinances as the building 

 of fires, breaking of branches and leaving of rubbish. In the 

 conduct of visitors there was a noticeable improvement upon 

 the records of the previous year. The number of arrests made 

 and summonses served were 167, convictions were 162, and the 

 resulting fines amounted to $310. 



Skating. — The open winter season of 1918-19 prevented 

 skating on the Bronx Lake, with the exception of two days. 

 Unfortunately, the weak ice resulted in the death by drowning 

 of three persons, two boys and one man, who persisted in going 

 upon the ice when it was not open to skating, and in spite of 

 dozens of warning signs placed there for their protection. Four 

 other boys were rescued from drowning by the courageous efforts 

 of a U. S. sailor, Bertram E. Reed, at the risk of his own life. 

 By the Director of the Park, Reed was strongly recommended 

 to the Carnegie Hero Fund as a candidate for a hero medal, 

 but for some reason unknown, a medal was not awarded. 



THE IMPROVEMENT AND REPAIR FUND. 



Walk Repairs. — Only the most necessary items of walk re- 

 pairs were finished, amounting to 77,765 square feet, at a cost 

 of $997.54, not including the cost of Tarvia and some traprock 

 which were on hand. 



