14 



The money value of this splendid stock shortly after 

 birth cannot be estimated at less than £1,500. 



During the year the Society received from the 

 Department of Science and Art the sum of £1,047 10s., 

 of which sum £450 were expended on the completion 

 of the New Monkey House, Engine House, Water 

 Pipes, and Bear's Cage, with tank attached ; and 

 £500 were expended on the construction of the 

 Superintendent's House, now nearly completed. 



Plans and estimates for the construction of a new 

 Aquarium House, and for an addition to the Carnivore 

 House, have been forwarded by your Council, for the 

 consideration and approval of the Department of 

 Science and Art, in South Kensington. The amount 

 of the estimates for these additions to the Gardens is 

 as follows : — 



1. Aquarium House ... ... £683 8 10 



2. Carnivore House ... ... 303 



Total ... £-1,045 8 10 



The financial position of the Society is shown by 

 the Treasurer's account, which has been duly audited, 

 and forms Appendix I. to this Eeport. In conse- 

 quence of the necessity of meeting some trade bills of 

 considerable standing, your Council raised, during 

 the year, among themselves, a loan to the Society of 

 £240, which will be paid off by monthly instalments 

 of £10, commencing on 1st May, 1868. Your 

 Council believed this course to be preferable to the 

 other alternatives that presented themselves — either 

 selling off a portion of your valuable stock of animals, 

 or making an appeal, in forma pauperis, to the public 

 for aid. 



