1875.] Proceedings of tlie Zoological Garden, Committees. 115 



3rd. — That the Government of India, the Government of Bengal, the 

 Municipality of the Town of Calcutta, the Suburban Municipality, the 

 Asiatic and the Agri-Horticultural Societies be addressed and solicited 

 to assist. 



It was afterwards proposed that Mr. H. A. Cockerell, officiating Chair- 

 man of the Justices and the Hon. Sir E. Temple should be invited to join 

 the deputation. 



A deputation of the above named members and Dr. Stoliczka, (with 

 the exception of Sir R. Temple), were favoured with an interview with the 

 Lieut. -Governor on the 16th April. Sir R. Couch briefly explained the 

 object of the deputation. The Lieut.-Governor, in reply, expressed his readi- 

 ness to aid the scheme for a People's Park, provided he saw his way to its 

 successful realization; but stated that it was very difficult to find a suitable 

 site, ground near Calcutta being very scarce and dear. He declined to 

 entertain any proposal to remove the Pauper and other Hospitals. Further 

 he said that the surrender of the Kidderpore site depended on the surrender 

 of the Orphan Asylum ground by the Military authorities, who did not appear 

 to have been asked. He added that if that site could be obtained, he 

 would perhaps be able to add a very little of the adjoining Government 

 land. 



There appearing no chance of obtaining the site of the Pauper Hospital, 

 it became necessary to consider whether any other site could be found, and 

 as it had been proposed at the meeting of the Justices that the large piece 

 of ground in the northern part of the town, known as Rajah Bagan, should 

 be laid out as a People's Park and that a portion of it should be made over 

 to the Councils of the Asiatic and Agri-Horticultural Societies to form a 

 Zoological Garden, Mr. Cockerell undertook to ascertain the cost of ac- 

 quiring and laying out this piece of ground and wrote on the 29th April, 

 that it would cost Rs. 12,000 to surround it with a wall 10 feet high and 

 Rs. 20,000 to remove existing huts. As regards the laying out of the 

 Park, he said it was difficult to form an exact estimate, but to lay out 200 

 beegahs of ground in the simplest manner would cost not less than Rs. 

 15,000. The first expenditure ■ would therefore be, say Rs. 50,000; the 

 ground rent would probably be Rs 10,000 per annum and the expenses of 

 malees, &c. say Rs. 200 a month. These estimates did not include the 

 expenses of maintaining the zoological collection. 



A special general meeting of the Councils of both Societies, the other 

 members of the deputation and the Sub -Committee was held on the Sth 

 May, to consider what further steps could be taken to advance the project 

 and it was resolved : — 



