8 
The Council have decided, on the suggestion of the President, 
Mr. F. R. Godfrey, to give Lecturettes on Saturday afternoons 
during the summer. This has been the custom in the London 
Zoological Gardens and has given great satisfaction. It is 
proposed to give one or two every month on some subject of 
Natural History, commencing the first week in April, several 
able gentlemen having consented to lecture as suggested, and many 
have expressed their appreciation of the efforts that the Society is 
making for disseminating the knowledge of Natural History and of 
thus giving many an opportunity of learning that which they 
otherwise might not have. The Lectures will be open to all 
visitors to the Gardens, and the times and subjects will be 
advertised in the daily press. 
The new Refreshment Room, situated near the main entrance 
gate, has been completed since the last annual meeting, and is a 
great improvement on the old building, besides being in a much 
more convenient position. 
A new building has been erected at the railway entrance gate to 
the Gardens in which to place check turnstiles, which are much 
needed, and the new structure is a great improvement in that part 
of the Gardens. 
The old insanitary octagonal Eagle Aviary has been pulled down 
and a handsome new building erected in its place, in which the 
birds can be clearly seen. They have all the light and air it is 
possible to give them, and its inmates are thriving in consequence. 
It is proposed to alter an adjacent similar Pheasant Aviary in a 
somewhat like manner. 
A new house is being erected for the Polar Bears adjoining 
their present one. This is a great necessity, as a family is shortly 
expected and the Bears must be separated, there being at 
present no other building in the Gardens fit to house either of them. 
These animals have done remarkably well since they have been in 
the Gardens, now over six years, despite the hot weather they 
have been subjected to during the summer and having no artificial 
means to keep them cool, yet they are in perfect condition and form 
a great attraction. 
A new Summer House has been erected for the use of visitors, 
as the Council finds that these buildings are much appreciated. 
Two new enclosures have also been formed, one for Pacific Gulls 
and the other for South Stone Plovers. I he enclosures are of fair 
size, and it is to be hoped that these birds will nest next season. 
The Emus have been placed in larger paddocks, and those they 
occupied are being prepared for such birds as Egrets, Plovers, 
Herons, &c., which when finished will be a great improvement, and 
the birds should thrive well in their open-air surroundings. 
