311 
More than a year elapsed before the subject was further advanced. 
Sir Lionel Phillips, though unable to be present at the meeting held 
in March, 1912, ae warmly espoused the cause which the advocates 
of a National Botanical Society had at heart and entered the field 
as the champion of the proposal to found a National Botanic 
Garden. On May 6th, 1913, he moved in the House of Assembly 
“that the Government should consider the advisability of setting 
aside a piece of ground at Kirstenbosch for the establishment of a 
National Botanic Garden.” After an interesting debate which 
occupied some two hours, during which general support was given 
and considerable interest and enthusiasm was shown the motion was 
agreed to unanimous sly. hat enthusiasm has carried the scheme 
to a successful is 
The Government grant consists of ss for a Director’s house 
and a small private Laboratory with an annual subsidy of £1000 a 
year which may be increased when plans are more definitely 
mature 
The establishment of a National Botanical Society to supplement 
the funds granted by the Government now became a ne sa ea and 
on June 10th, the Mayor of Cape Town (Mr. Councillor &: agit 
presided over a large and influential meeting convened for the 
purpose of inaugurating the sae ude Sir Lionel Phillips put the 
resolution to the meeting :—“ That this meeting agrees to the 
formation of the National Bee ied for the purpose of 
assisting in the establishment of a onal Botanic Garden at 
Kirstenbosch, and for the oases of the growth of the 
outh African flora.” This resolution, and a further one relating 
to subscriptions, having been carried, Sir Lionel Phillips added 
that he had merely been an instrument, and that the initiative 
-came from Professor Pearson, who would be the Honorary Director 
of the Garden 
The control of the Garden is to be exercised by a Board of five 
trustees, of whom three are nominated by Government, one by the 
orporation of Cape Town, and one by the otanical Society. 
Lord de Villiers, Sir David Graaff, and Sir Lionel Phillips have 
been appointed members of the Board by the Government, and the 
Mayor of Cape Town has been appointed a trustee by the 
Corporation 
The decision of the Government to establish the Garden having 
been reached, no time has been lost in putting the scheme into 
operation, Professor H. H. W. Pearson has been appointed Honorary 
Director, a position which he is admirably qualified to fill and one 
which could hardly be more fittingly bestowed when regard is had 
to the ardour and perseverance which he has displayed in 
helping to bring the Botanic Garden into being. Mr. at- 
thews, formerly at Kew (see K. B., 1913, p. 278), has been appointed 
Curator, and wor ork was "actually commenced at Kirstenbosch on 
ugust Ist. 
