8 



have been lost, and finally, the roof of the Conservatory and 

 Fernery require attention, which at present we cannot afford 

 to give. 



On the 31st of May, the day of the union of the South 

 African States, several trees were planted in the garden, in 

 commemoration of the event ; they were Machilus Nanmu and 

 one each of Pndocarous chinensis Elseocarpus ''grandis, and 

 Khaya senegalensis ; only one of these will be allowed to stand, 

 and in case one plant of Machilus survives it will be the one 

 chosen. 



In consequence of the very heavy rains which we have had 

 during the season, the paths in the Gardens have been very 

 much damaged, and that on several occasions very much of the 

 time of the hands has been occupied in repairing them, and 

 even yet they are not by any means in as good condition as 

 they were at the commencement of the season. 



Of the European staff the Curator (Mr. Wylie) has now 

 completed 28 years service here, and is in charge of the Nur- 

 series and the Sales Department, a position which he has 

 filled with conspicuous success. Mr. Rutter has now been 

 been 19 years with us, and was for many years under Mr. 

 Mr. Wylie in charge of the Nursery, but for some time past he 

 has had charge of the Palm House Conservatory and the 

 propagation of the more herbaceous plants, arid is a valuable 

 assistant to tiie Curator. Latterly the Nursery has been in 

 the charge of Mr. Boutell, who is still here. T. Farrell, who 

 came on a verbal agreement for three years as a learner, has 

 now nearly completed his time, and has given every satisfac- 

 tion lo the Curator. 



The following free grants have been made : — 



Arts and Crafts Exhibition ... 

 N. G. Railways Ball 

 Military Tournament 

 Durban Corporation 

 Press Concert 



The " Guide" to the Gardens, printed in 1897, is now 

 somewhat out of date. A new one has been prepared and 

 typed ; the old one enumerated 551 species, the new one 

 includes more than 700, but as some alteration is absolutely 

 required in the division of the blocks of ground, a considerable 

 amount of work is still necessary before this new " Guide " can 

 be made ready for printing, but when funds are available for 

 its publication the work can be taken in hand. 



£ 



s. 



d. 



3 



3 







1 



1 







4 



4 







25 



9 







1 



1 

 18 







£34 







