14 
Gardens was specially adverted to in the last Report. The 
Council felt that, looking to the prospect of a large number 
of Visitors expected in the Gardens during the approach- 
ing season, it was more than ever incumbent upon them 
to attend to the numerous complaints made of want of 
proper accommodation in this respect. The total cost of 
the large additional room, cellars and other accommodation 
now provided will eventually reach altogether to about 
£1500, of which £385 was incurred during the past year. 
The Council, however, think that under the circumstances 
they were fully justified in incurring this large expenditure, 
and that the sum thus laid out will greatly increase the 
attraction of the Gardens as a place of public resort. 
The following alterations, improvements, and repairs 
have been executed by the Society’s workmen during the 
year 1861, with the aid of additional labourers, on whose 
wages the sum of £257 16s. 7d. was spent. This sum, 
however, also includes the charge for the very heavy 
labour of laying down the courts to the New Antelope 
House, and completing the adjoining earthworks. 
I. New roads and new walks, at acost of £177 Os. 8d. 
for materials, 
The roads thus made were those surrounding the South 
ponds and on the outside of the courts of the New 
Antelope House. They have been laid down in the 
strongest and most substantial manner, and the former has 
well resisted the heavy traffic which has passed over it 
during the past winter. 
II. New Platform at the south side of the Hippopo- 
tamus Pond, at a cost for materials of £45 17s. 3d. 
The wooden stages at the south and east sides of the 
Hippopotamus Pond having become rotten and unsafe, 
have been removed and replaced by substantial erections 
built with bricks. The new Platform on the south side 
was finished last year. Since the commencement of the 
present year, that on the eastern side has been treated in 
a similar manner. The cost of the latter will be charged 
against the income of the present year. 
IlI. The continuation of the new rat-proof fence 
round the South ponds, at a cost of £61 10s. 1d. 
This fence has been completed since the commencement 
