188 AUSTRALIAN PLANTATIONS. 



2. The site originally selected comprised about 600 acres, 

 lying east of Wellington, at a distance of from three to four 

 miles. During 1858, arrangements were made with the Badagars 

 for exchanging the more distant portion of this for a larger extent 

 of land, which has the advantages of being of better quality, 

 nearer Wellington, and between good roads. 



3. Up to date of last report the area planted was 8 acres ; since 

 that time above 90 acres have been planted, and there are now 

 two lacs of trees from three years to two months old. Eight 

 thousand more were ready for putting out ; and the nursery beds, 

 of which there are three, contain an ample supply for next season. 

 Some alterations have been made in the mode of planting, &c, by 

 which a considerable saving, it is hoped, will be effected. 



4. Since Capt. Campbell's departure in May last the charge 

 has devolved upon Corporal Hall, on whose " zeal, efficiency, and 

 fidelity" Dr Cleghorn lays particular stress. 



5. The average charges per mensem are about Es. 125, ex- 

 clusive of Corporal Hall's allowances. The expenditure from 

 April 1858 to 31st October 1859 amounted to Es. 5259-8-6 ; the 

 funds in hand to meet this were Es. 4959-12-4, leaving a defi- 

 ciency of Es. 299-12-2. The total expenditure from the com- 

 mencement in March 1856 up to 31st October 1859 has been 

 Es. 10,071-15-2. 



6. There has not been as yet, apparently, any cutting or thin- 

 ning. The Conservator mentions (par. 9) that some return may 

 be expected from thinning in two years. 



7. The Government desire to express their gratification at the 

 steady progress apparently made, and sanction the grant of 

 Es.2500, as requested in par. 8 of Dr Cleghorn's letter. 



C. Gr. Master, 

 Deputy Secretary to Government. 



Note. — In order that these plantations receive a fair trial on the moun- 

 tain, ranges of S. India, every facility for the periodical transmission of 

 seeds from Australia ought to be afforded, and care taken that snch 

 transmissions are regular. The Horticultural Society having had their 

 attention drawn to Australian plants, laid particular stress on the im- 

 portance of steady supplies of seeds. 



H. C. 



