TARONGA ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



1 1 Mates xi.-xii.) 



In their Report lor the year ended 31st December, 1916. presented to Parliament during the session 

 of 191 7, the Trustees of the Taronga Zoological Park trace the events which led up to the adoption 

 of the present site, and -tan' that all the Trustees, and, with the exception of Mr. J. Davis, all the 

 ail\i-nrv Trustees, were members ol the Zoological Society, and were selected as possessing the 

 requisite experience and knowledge for laving the foundation of this great national undertaking. 



In genera] character the land, some 00 acres in extent, consisted in its natural state of a scries 

 ol plateaus or urassy slopes, rising one above the other to a height oi some 340 ieet hum the water 

 level, in a succession oi terrace- laced with precipitous rock or weather-worn masses ol boulders, well 

 wooded with angophora, eucalyptus, eugenia, banksia, grevillea, and other trees, shrubs and ferns 

 common in the coastal districts. 



I'lan> were made lor the subdivision and laying out of the land, and in August, lou. the work of 

 construction w as commenced. Four main roads were marked out. running east and west, following the 

 sweeping contour of the terraci s, with a central avenue crossing them, and tracks and paths intersecting 

 them in many places. tfivinji access to the numerous ^lens and gullies which nature had provided in 

 abundance. In 1915 the construction was taken up by the Public Works Department, under the 

 Director General, .Mr. J. Davis, whose name, together with that of the Government Architect. Mr. 

 George McRae, must always be associated with this important enterprise. 



The Trustees acknowledge with gratitude the great assistance so freely given them by experts 

 in the several branches ol scientific knowledge both outside and inside the Public Service, including 

 Mr. J. H. Maiden (Director of the Botanic Gardens), Mr. J. Dawes, Professor W, A. Haswcll, Mr. D. G. 

 Stead, Mr. \Y. W. Froggatt, and Mr. Albert Gale. 



The construction work was far enough advanced by the middle of 1910, to justify the transfer of 

 the animals to their new quarters from the Moore Park Gardens. The task was a difficult one. It was 

 however, successfully accomplished by the Secretary. Mr. A. S. Le Souef and his staff ; and the 

 Zoological Gardens at Moore Park were finally closed (after a useful career of thirty-eight years as a 

 public institution) on Saturday. 1st September, 1916. 



The official opening of the Taronga Zoological Park took place on Saturday, 7th October, 1916, 

 the ceremony being performed by the Premier, the Hon. W. A. Holman, M.L.A., in the presence of a 

 large concourse of guests of the Government. The first step taken in popularising the new institution 

 was to introduce it to the children of the Public Schools in the metropolis. Arrangements were made 

 for some three thousand children to be conveyed by tramcar and steamer to the Park each day, until 

 120,000 of them had visited the animals in their new homes. 



Construction work proceeded vigorously up to the end of 1916, and, although much remained to 

 complete those portions of the grounds that are now available for use. the Park had established itself 

 in public favour as a place for young and old to resort to for enjoyment and enlightenment. 



Pictures and maps accompanying the report indicate the character of the country as nature made 

 it, and the manner in which it has been adapted to the requirements of a public park, and a place 

 where living animals can be properly kept and exhibited for study and entertainment. The original 

 trees and shrubs have been preserved as far as possible ; and, though it has been found necessary 

 to clear much for the profit of what remains, and to make room for roads and buildings, advantage 

 has been taken of every opportunity for new planting, with the object of restoring the character of 

 the scenery, and of concealing the necessary artificial structures which have been introduced, as well 

 as of providing shelter and shade. Except in so far as flowering plants are concerned, which are 

 necessary for decorative colour effect, nothing but Australian trees, shrubs, palms and ferns have 

 been added, and it is intended that the most beautiful flowering trees and shrubs of Australia, capable 

 of cultivation in the Park, shall find a place there. 



