THE 
Offices: Zoological Gardens, Melbourne. 
KEPOKT OF THE COUNCIL 
for ie©a. 
As Read and Adopted at the Annual Meeting, Monday, 
February 3RD, 1896. 
f HE Annual Meeting of the Zoological and Acclimatisation 
Society of Victoria was held on Monday, the 3rd day of 
February, 1896, at the town office, 41 Sel borne Chambers. 
The following members were present:—Colonel Rede (in 
the chair), Major Purchas, Hon. R. Simson, Messrs. J. C. Tyler, 
F. R. Godfrey, H. R. Ilogg, and G. W. Bruce. The Minutes of 
the last meeting were read and confirmed. The following Report 
of the Council was then read and confirmed on the motion of Mr. 
F. R. Godfrey:— 
The Council of the Zoological and Acclimatisation Society ot 
Victoria have the honour to lay their Thirty-Second Annual Report 
before the Subscribers. 
In consequence of the want of funds, principally caused by the 
reduction of the Government Grant, it has been found impossible 
to keep the Zoological Collection up to its usual high standard; 
the falling off in the numbers of animals in the Gardens 
has necessitated action on the part of the Council, and Mr. 
Le Soutif, the Director of the Society, sailed last month for the 
Cape of Good Mope to procure fresh stock to replenish the collection, 
as far as possible on the basis of exchange. With this view he 
took with him some kangaroos and emus for the Right Honourable 
Cecil Rhodes, the late Premier of the Cape Colony, for a Zoological 
Park that gentleman has formed near Cape Town, and where he 
wishes to introduce certain of the Australian fauna. 
As Mr. Rhodes has promised to assist Mr. Le Souefin his mission, 
it is confidently hoped that great benefit will result to the Society from 
his visit, and that it will be the means of adding greatly to the 
attractions of the Gardens. South African animals and birds are 
well suited to this climate, and they thrive very well here. 
The attendance for the year 1895, and amount taken at the 
gates, have been about the same as the year before; but it is hoped 
