34 



time to time of any kind suitable, which would have to bo grown in 

 a nurseiy set apart for the purpose, or by some nurseryman who might 

 undertake the work by contract. It would be essential to grow the 

 plants to some size in the nursery before final planting, as they could 

 be much more easily attended to, and the chance of loss would not 

 be so great ; besides which it would be necessary to have a reserve in 

 case of accident. 



" But after all the real question just now is not what to do'nor how 

 to do it ; but where are the funds to come from to employ the necessary 

 amount of labour? — for I am inclined to think the day has gone by when 

 much could be accomplished by prison labour. The fact is the nume- 

 rical prison strength is daily decreasing, and there is the greatest diffi- 

 culty in keeping up the strength of the present gangs. Our own 

 garden gang has not for some time been in a satisfactory state. Just at 

 the time when additional strength was urgently required it has been 

 numerically less than ever, and I fear much work pressing for attention 

 will now have to be abandoned for the season. Any gang that might be 

 supplied under present circumstances would make slow j^rogress indeed. 

 Nor am I inclined to think that much could be done permanently by 

 public subscription. Although a few hundred pounds might be collected 

 at first, which might be applied to clear away some of the stumps and 

 stones and open up vistas, yet a much greater outlay would be necessary 

 before planting operation could be undertaken. An expenditure of SOs. 

 and perhaps more, would be required to prepare the ground for every 

 tree planted with a view to ultimate success. 



" Although it is desirable that this work should be undertaken with as 

 little delay as possible, especially as the appearance of the Domain will 

 become year by year more uninviting if left to its present fate, yet I 

 think great caution is necessary before entering upon a work of this 

 description until the ways and means have been duly considered. I have 

 always thought the undertaking should be a national one, for unless this 

 is the case it will never be adequately supported. I think it very 

 desirable that sites should be found for numerous test plantations, which 

 would ultimately be of national importance, while they would add to 

 its interest as a place of resort. The garden contains numerous plants 

 that can never attain their full development in their present sites, 

 because there is not sufficient space to do justice to them all; if these 

 are not propagated and planted under circumstances more favourable 

 to their growth, many of them will stand a chance of being destroyed 

 altogether in a few years, 



" I am, gentlemen, 



' ' Your obedient servant, 



" F. Abbott, Jun., 

 " Superintendent." 



The Secretary reported that, with the exception of Mr. Stephens, 

 absent on duty, the Members of the Domain Committee appointed at 

 last meeting had had an interview with the Hon. the Colonial Secre- 

 tary, and the Hon. the Minister of Lands and Works, and had 

 explained the views of the society as to the proposed improvements, and 

 the material assistance required to carry them out. These views were 

 entertained by the Ministers present with the greatest cordiality, and 

 were very carefully discussed during a prolonged interview. The 

 only difficulty in fact was the want of labour. Mr. Moore mentioned 

 that at present he was most anxious to complete the new cricket ground 

 as soon as possible, having promised to do so. To finish this work, he 

 thought it would be also advisable to make a carriage drive all round 

 the fence, and perhaps open out vistas looking towards Government 

 House, and down the harbour. These works would absorb almost, if 



