146 Proceedings of tlie Zoological Garden Committees. [July, 



" That a meeting be convened at the Town Hall, to ascertain the public 

 feeling on the subject and with a view to the formation of a large and in- 

 fluential Committee for the promotion of the scheme." 



The meeting was ordered to be held on the 14th May, and it was re- * 

 solved that Sir R. Couch should be asked to take the chair. 



Sir R. Couch having expressed his unwillingness to preside at a public 

 meeting, and it also being considered desirable to postpone the meeting till 

 Mr. Cockerell could ascertain the terms on which the ground could be ac- 

 quired, the meeting was not held on the day appointed. 



On the 3rd June, Mr. Cockerell wrote that he had received the consent 

 of the Sobha Bazar zemindars to give a permanent lease of Rajah Bagan, 

 and that he had also ascertained from the Receiver of the High Court that 

 there was no objection to the lease on his part. He stated that he 

 proposed to lay the matter before the Justices, as soon as the Government 

 subscription would be ascertained, and that he had hopes they would 

 consent to pay the rent and taxes of the land, amounting to something 

 over Rs. 11,000 a year. Further Mr. Cockerell expressed as his opinion 

 that a public meeting at that time of the year would hardly answer, and 

 that it might be as well to ascertain the measure of assistance to be looked 

 for from Government before appealing to the public. 



This letter was circulated to the members of the different Committees 

 and the public meeting was postponed pending the receipt of further infor- 

 mation. Mr. Cockerell has since been relieved of the duties of officiating 

 Chairman of the Justices and nothing further appears to have been done 

 by the Justices nor could much assistance have been expected from them 

 for some time to come. 



Sir Richard Temple has however determined on taking up the land 

 lying on both sides of the road leading into Belvidere for this purpose and 

 endeavours are being made for the Garden being ready in time to be opened 

 by the Prince of Wales.* 



* The above abstract bas been prepared by Mr. J. O'Kinealy C. S. from the 

 report drawn up by Capt. "Waterhouse as Secretary to the Committees and is published 

 by order of the Council for the information of Members. Ed. 



