12 
Howat, W. Davidson, H. G. Turner, S. B. Backhouse, T. 
Braid, C. J. Peowrie, Councillor Fleming, and others. 
The Minutes of the last Annual Meeting were read and 
confirmed. 
The Annual Report and Statement of Accounts were taken 
as read, and their adoption moved by Colonel Ryan, who in 
doing so stated that the fiftieth meeting of the Society was 
an interesting event in its history, and if the Gardens con- 
tinued to progress at the rate they have, especially during the 
last few years, it is difficult to estimate the splendid Gardens 
our State will possess for the benefit of its people when the 
Centenary meeting of the Society takes place. 
These Gardens have been built up under many difficulties; 
the soil is very poor and being situated on the crest of rising 
ground, soon dries up in summer. In the course of a few 
years all the footpaths will be shaded by the trees that have 
been planted down their centres, and the same will apply 
to the various enclosures for deer and other animals. The 
Council desires to keep these Gardens up to a high standard 
and the fact of their having on exhibition Giraffes, Hippopo- 
tami, American Bison, etc., shows that this is so. The old 
wooden buildings are being gradually removed and their 
places being occupied by concrete structures resembling 
natural rocks. These buildings will recpiire no painting or 
up-keep and do not in any way overshadow' the animals. 
The large attendance of about 400.000 visitors last year 
show's that the public appreciates the work of the Society in 
this respect. 
Sir Robert Best seconded the adoption of the Report and 
Statement of Accounts, and in doing so stated that he 
heartily agreed with Colonel Ryan as to the improvements 
that had lately been effected in the Gardens and their value 
to the public from an educational point of view, and he 
trusted that the income of the Society would enable much 
more to be done. 
On the motion of Councillor Fleming, Messrs. A. Rutter 
Clarke, C. W. McLean and G. Howat, who had attended the 
fewest number of meetings during the year, were re-elected 
as members of the Council. 
