58 



necessitated the discontinuance of nearly half the 

 labor employed, the work of the Gardens has 

 been very seriously affected. Indeed, without 

 some assistance from Government in lieu of that 

 portion of the Grant which has been withheld, it 

 would have been impossible to prevent the Gardens 

 falling into a state of decay, and we have there- 

 fore been reluctantly compelled to avail ourselves 

 of the offer of prison labor. By its assistance it 

 is hoped that all the rougher operations will be 

 carried on in a tolerably efficient manner, and 

 that we shall eventually be enabled to have fresh 

 ground broken up, and suitable sites prepared for 

 the new and valuable plants which are constantly 

 accumulating. 



The number of visitors during the year was 

 21,657. 



COUNCIL. 



One vacancy in the Council has occurred by 

 the resignation of Lieut. -Col. Chesney on his de- 

 parture from the colony. It is due to Col. Chesney 

 to say that his loss was much regretted by the 

 Council, as he at all times proved himself to be 

 an active and valuable suj^jporter of the Society, 

 both by written contributions and by personal 

 attention to its interests. 



Agreeably to Rule XXXI the vacancy was 

 filled up by the election of Mr. H. J. Buckland — 

 the election being subject to confirmation by the 

 Annual General Meeting. 



According to Rule XXXII the required list 

 from which five Members are to be elected has 

 been exhibited in the Library for the last fortnight. 

 As some obscurity exists as to the precise scope of 

 Rules XXXI and XXXII a proposal for revising 

 them will be submitted for consideration at a 



