TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT 97 



Elephant Fence. — The partition fence in the elephant cor- 

 ral, which had been attacked by the male African elephant, was 

 strengthened with heavy steel rails at a cost of $257, and addi- 

 tional steel plates were fastened against the partition walls of 

 the indoor cages used by this large and powerful animal. 



Lion House Ceiling. — Eleven of the cage ceilings of the Lion 

 House were re-lathed, plastered and painted where necessary, 

 at a cost of $150.18. 



Blackbird Cage. — The sum of $1,000 was appropriated for 

 the construction of a new cage for blackbirds, to replace the 

 old cage that had become unsightly and useless. Plans for this 

 improvement were made by this department, and about 80% 

 of the w^ork is now completed. 



Children's Playground. — This installation was considered 

 necessary on account of the many inquiries for a place where 

 small children sent to the park from schools and institutions 

 might rest, play and eat their lunches. It is located conveniently 

 near the large shelter pavilion, opposite the Fox Dens, and will 

 be supplied with seats and a drinking fountain. About 70% 

 of the work is finished. For this improvement, $465 were appro- 

 priated from the Improvement and Repair Fund. 



Cranes' Paddock Fence. — The Cranes' Paddock fence, which 

 had become very much dilapidated, was rebuilt entirely at a 

 cost of $422.96. 



Boiler Repairs. — Boiler repairs to a total cost of $174.28, 

 an item that could not be assumed by Maintenance, were made 

 by the Improvement and Repair Fund. 



Bronxdale Watergate. — A new Watergate, to confine the 

 water fowl on Lake Agassiz, was installed under the Boston 

 Road bridge. This gate has a span of about thirty-six feet, and 

 was so designed that the lower portion of it easily may be raised 

 to allow the accumulation of floating rubbish which comes down 

 the river with every flood, to pass. This gate was built at a 

 cost of $330.41. 



Server Manholes. — Two new sewer manholes that were 

 needed badly to facilitate cleaning of the main sewer system, 

 were built at a cost to this fund of $47.25; nearly all of the 

 labor being performed by maintenance men. 



