102 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



The completed dock is a most substantial and satisfactory 

 improvement; of the kind that all permanent improvements 

 should be. The slip or inlet provided for the launches is a great 

 success, adding a large amount of dock room for the handling 

 of row boats, which was very badly needed. 



The further improvements required at the dock in the near 

 future are, the replacing of the old, narrow plank extension on 

 the north end with concrete, and the erection of a suitable can- 

 opy or awning, for shade, over the central portion of the dock. 



Boat House Restaurant. — While the gross receipts for the 

 year at the Boat House Restaurant increased somewhat over 

 last year, it was impossible to make an improved showing in 

 the net results. All restaurant supplies advanced materially 

 during the year. Although our prices for food are very much 

 below those charged elsewhere for a similar class of service, it 

 seemed best to maintain our prices unchanged throughout the 

 year. If prices for supplies continue to advance, changes will 

 have to be made in the menu. 



Soda Water. — This branch of the privileges was more seri- 

 ously affected than any other by the unfavorable conditions that 

 prevailed throughout the entire season, particularly through the 

 absence of visitors in the months of July and August. The 

 gross receipts showed a reduction for the season of 16 ^ 2 per 

 cent. While the unsatisfactory showing in this division can be, 

 in a great measure, accounted for by the conditions referred to 

 previously, it is also a fact, that many improvements have been 

 made in soda fountain equipment during the last five years. 

 Nevertheless, it is true that all of our fountains now are nearly 

 ten years old and they have become almost obsolete because of 

 the recent improvements that have been made by manufacturers 

 in construction and in designs. To-day our equipment is not 

 up to the standard that will be found in the ordinary confec- 

 tionery store. It gradually must be replaced and brought up to a 

 standard equal to the best to be found elsewhere. 



Refreshment service in public parks, to be successful, must 

 now conform in all respects to the best standards. With this 

 fact in mind, we have been making an unsuccessful effort for 

 several years to secure an appropriation for the construction of 

 a new concrete building for refreshment purposes to replace the 

 present rapidly decaying wooden shelter near the Reptile House. 



