92 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



dangers encountered during previous seasons. In order to en- 

 courage boating on week days, it was decided to put into effect 

 special rates for all days except Sundays and holidays. This 

 arrangement proved to be a success, and materially increased the 

 business on week days. Before the close of the season it became 

 apparent that another launch was needed to take care of the 

 increasing business ; therefore arrangements were made for the 

 purchase of another electric launch, of the same type as those 

 now in use, early in the coming season. 



New Boat-House Dock. — The wooden dock constructed at the 

 time the Boat-House was built, five years ago, is now badly 

 decayed, and much in need of repairs. The building of a new 

 permanent concrete dock is an urgent necessity, and it was 

 hoped funds for this purpose could be secured so that the work 

 could be done after the close of the boating season. 



Some repairs will, no doubt, have to be made to the present 

 dock in order to get through the season of 1912, if, as now seems 

 probable, an appropriation for the work is not forthcoming in 

 the verj'- near future. 



When built, the new dock should provide some shade by the 

 erection of a pergola-like structure along the edge of the dock. 



Gate Receipts. — The receipts at the entrances from admis- 

 sions on pay days has become the source of a satisfactory income 

 for the increase of the animal collections, the gross receipts from 

 the sale of tickets on pay days going direct to the credit of the 

 animal fund. The figures for the year 1911 were fully up to 

 those of previous years. 



Riding Animals. — The receipts from this source can be con- 

 siderably increased by the addition of a riding elephant to the 

 present attractions. The Director has consented to the use of 

 the female of the pair of African elephants for this purpose when 

 sufficiently matured, and it is hoped that arrangements can be 

 made for its use during the coming season. 



Band Concerts. — Our application to the Board of Estimate 

 and Apportionment for a modest sum for the cost of band con- 

 certs in the year 1911 having been denied, it was decided not to 

 give concerts during the summer. For two or three years previ- 

 ous the expense of these concerts was borne by the Privilege 

 Department, in the hope that the needed appropriation would be 

 forthcoming. In our judgment, the large attendance at the park 

 during the summer fully justified the expenditure from city funds 



