ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS, DUBLIN 217 



From the minutes it would appear that the cottage 

 was occupied by Mrs. Ilourke, and that the substantial 

 building referred to was the park-keej^er's lodge. Mrs. 

 Rourke, evidently uneasy with regard to her tenure, 

 approached the Committee, and the Honorary Secretary 

 was instructed to inform her that the Society did not 

 ' at that moment require the house,' and that ' they 

 will not interfere to have her removed immediately.' 

 Mrs. Rourke appears to have been a somewhat trouble- 

 some tenant. In April, 1832, it was ordered that the 

 communication between Mrs. Rourke's house and the 

 Gardens be cut off, and in December of the following 

 year ' Mrs. Rourke was cautioned not to hang any 

 more of her linen within sight of the visitors to the 

 Gardens.' Ultimately, on April 27, 1835, it was 

 resolved ' that Mrs. Rourke be warned that, unless she 

 do leave the Gardens before the next meeting of 

 Council, she will forfeit the advantages so liberally 

 accorded to her by the Council.' 



During the winter of 1830-31 there were no meet- 

 ings of the Committee, but after the formal acquisition 

 of the site, operations were actively carried on with a 

 view towards the early opening of the Gardens to the 

 public. Up to this time the only animal mentioned as 

 being in the possession of the Society is a wild boar. 

 On September 25, 1830, £2 were allowed to Godden 

 ' lor the support of the wild boar,' and in the following 

 year (May 28, 1831) there is an entry 'that the sum 

 of £2 be given to Godden for feeding the pig.' During 

 the summer of 1831 animals were gradually gathered 

 in, but it is very doubtful if the Gardens could have 

 been opened that year without the large consignment 



