THE 
OF VICTORIA. 
Offices: Zoological Gardens, Melbourne. 
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL 
FOR 1899. 
Read at the Annual Meeting of the Society held on 
Monday, the 19TH of February, 1900. 
The Council of the Zoological and Acclimatisation Society 
has the honour to submit its thirty-sixth Annual Report to 
the subscribers. The last year has been one of quiet and 
steady progress, the Gardens having been very much improved 
in appearance in many ways. The principal alteration has 
been effected at the main entrance, which has been completely 
remodelled, all the groups of half-dead pines have been re¬ 
moved, and the fences of the paddocks in the vicinity 
re-erected further back, and handsome flower beds laid out 
and planted. Three large lattice arches have been erected 
at the entrance to the main walks converging at the Garden 
gates, and the entrance, which before was cramped and 
unsightly, is now spacious and attractive. 
The painting of the various buildings in the Gardens has 
also been entirely altered: instead of the dull brown which has 
been used for many years the various cages and aviaries 
have been painted light and bright colours, each one different 
to the other. This style of painting, while not suitable for a 
private house, is taking and attractive in a public garden, 
where everything should be as light and bright as possible, 
and it has altered the appearance of the grounds very much 
for the better, and many visitors have expressed their ap¬ 
preciation at the change. Another improvement which has 
been made is the fencing-in of a piece of ground about an 
acre and a half in extent in a retired part of the Garden, near 
