The Garden is fifty-three morgens in extent, and is connected by electric tramway with all parts of the city. It is planted with many beautiful trees, bushes, and plants, and there are several ponds. The chief entrance building is of wood. The concert-house contains seating accommodation for 2,000 people. In the great ‘machine hall’ is a large bicycle track, eight lawn-tennis courts, and great facilities are offered for children’s rides and drives. Near the main restaurant is a Viennese restaurant. In the summer there are daily concerts in the ‘36-man-strong theatre-chapel,’ and besides these on Wednesday and Sunday there are military band concerts.
All the animal houses are newly built and favourably situated. In February, 1896, there were 21 kinds of animals. In May Herr Carl Hagenbeck brought the total up to 149. On September 31, 1896, there were 893 specimens of 262 species: of animals, 299 specimens of 87 species; of birds, 533 specimens of 155 species; of reptiles, 52 specimens of 17 species; of amphibia, 9 specimens of 2 species; of fish, 1 specimen.
In 1896, 3 lions were born, 1 hog deer, 1 kangaroo, 1 Russian wolf-hound, 1 rabbit, 1 guinea-pig, and several rats and mice, and some Aylesbury ducks were hatched.
Eleven and a quarter per cent. of the total value of animals was lost during 1896. The total value of these animals amounted to £1,980.
In 1897 the second financial year was about the same as the first year, and was considered successful; £11,995 was taken, and £9,952 was spent, leaving a balance in hand of £2,303.
In 1897, 5 lions, 3 panthers, 3 pumas, 1 wapiti, 1 hog deer and a sika deer, 1 Russian wolf-hound, 1 St. Bernard, several terriers, beavers, and a Shetland pony, were born in the Garden. Three young lions, 1 brown bear, and other animals were sold. A number of sea-lions were bought.
From February to March a Lapland Native Exhibition was held.
In July a Bird Exhibition was held.
A silver medal was obtained by the Society for its efforts in pheasant breeding.
In 1898 the income was £12,847, and the expenditure was £9,897. Three lions, 2 tigers, 3 brown bears, 2 agutis, 1 dwarf zebra, 1 Angora goat, 1 wapiti, and other animals were born in the Gardens.