6 
It Avas the intention of the Council to have built during the 
year a concrete structure for bears and leopards, but owing to 
other buildings having to l>e erected first, this had to be postponed, 
although a large drain has been constructed to drain the ground 
thcroughly, preparatory to erecting the buildings. 
The Council purchased a pair of young Giraffes in October last, 
and a large concrete house has been erected for their use. The 
outside portion of this structure, which is over 30 ft. high, will 
shortly be completed, as well as the cement wall, by which part 
of the yard has been surrounded. A high iron fence in front 
has also been erected to prevent the animals from being fed by 
visitors. This work has been a large undertaking and probably 
will not be quite finished for another month yet. When it is done, 
portion of the surrounding fence will be removed, and the public 
admitted to the back part of the building, this ground is at pres¬ 
ent used as a reserve and for picnics. The whole structure will 
then appear like a large mound 
of rocks. The Giraffes them- 
.selves, altliough young, are 
doing well and growing fast, 
and it is expected that this 
climate will .suit them in every 
way. At present they are the 
only specimens in Australia. 
The back portion of the yard 
has lieen thickly planted with 
tree ferns, and these in them¬ 
selves will form a pleasant 
sight, especially during the 
summer months. There is a 
store for hay and similar 
material at the back of the 
Giraffe bouse. 
The Bear-pit, which was 
situated close by the last men¬ 
tioned work, has been entirely 
done away with and the occu¬ 
pants placed in ordinary cages 
instead of in a pit, as the 
Australian Egret. 
