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modation, the Council determined in the autumn of 1868 
to build an additional large room for the use of visitors 
who require luncheons and dinners, and at the same time to 
provide new kitchens, larders, and other working accommo- 
dation, which was also a matter of pressing necessityin order 
that the refreshments might be supplied in a satisfactory 
manner. The Council were further encouraged to adopt 
this course from the fact of the lessee of the Refreshment- 
department offering to pay an additional rent equivalent 
to 6 per cent. upon the outlay thus occasioned. Under 
these circumstances the new dining-room and the kitchens 
and cellars underneath were built in the course of last 
year from plans prepared by Mr. Anthony Salvin, Junior, 
the Society’s Architect. The total cost of this building, 
together with the necessary fittings and cooking-apparatus, 
paid during the year 1869 was £3221 17s. 1ld. A further 
additional sum of £125 4s. 2d. has since been paid, raising 
the total cost of these works to £3400. Upon this the 
lessee of the building has agreed to pay an additional rent 
of £17 a month, or £204 per annum, commencing from 
the Ist of January last. Part of the money thus expended 
was, as already mentioned, raised by the sale of £3000 
Reduced 3 per cents. belonging to the Society’s Reserve 
fund ; but as the Income thus lost amounts to only £90 
a year, the Council believe that this undertaking may be 
regarded as having resulted in a very profitable investment 
of the Society’s funds. 
ii. New Gazelle-sheds. 
The old wooden sheds immediately adjoining the Hip- 
popotamus-house, which were in a very bad state of repair, 
were removed in the autumn of 1868. The opportunity 
was taken of widening the passage between them and the 
Hippopotamus-house, which was very narrow; and the 
sheds were rebuilt in a substantial manner, at right angles 
to their former position, at a total cost of £385 13s. 1d. 
_ They have been since fitted up with hot-water warming- 
apparatus by Messrs. Weeks, and now form a very con- 
venient row of houses for the smaller and more delicate 
Antelopes (such as Gazelles) , for which there was previously 
no good accommodation in the Society’s Gardens. * 
The nature of the principal works executed during the 
5 ss 
