and the work going on as usual. The fumigating house has 

 been in constant use, and plants are invariably sent out quite 

 free from insect pests ; the house was examined by Mr. Berens- 

 berg, assistant to the Entomologist, and after some alterations 

 had been made, it was found to be quite efficient; the nursery 

 has also been examined by Mr. Claude Fuller, the Government 

 Entomologist, and found to be quite free from insect pests, and 

 he has given us his certificate to that effect. 



The Refreshment Room alluded to in my last Report is 

 now completed, and was opened to the public on Monday, 

 April 2nd. Mrs. Malyon who has charge of it has given com- 

 plete satisfaction to the public, she having had considerable 

 experience in conducting a somewhat similar institution in 

 Cape Colony ; it is fairly well patronised by visitors, and as it 

 becomes better known will be even more frequented than it is. 

 The charges are moderate, and the viands supplied are the best 

 of their kind. The building is roofed with Asbestos slate, and 

 the interior of the working room is lined with the same material ; 

 the building is square, the working and store room in the 

 centre, while the chairs and tables are arranged in a raised 

 verandah 12 feet in width, so that almost complete protection 

 can be had from both sun and wind from whichever quarter the 

 wind may be, and the floor is well raised above the ground. A 

 wicket gate has been opened close to the Refreshment Room, 

 and both are opened at 10 o'clock a.m. and closed at 6 o'clock 

 p.m. in the summer, and at sunset in the winter ; a gong is 

 sounded 15 minutes before the gate is closed for the day, but it 

 must be clearly understood that there is no thoroughfare 

 through the Gardens, and that coloured servants are not 

 allowed to use the gate unless accompanied by Europeans, the 

 Society retaining the right to close this gate to the public at 

 any time that it may be found advisable or necessary to do so. 



In consequence of great press of more important work the 

 Durban Corporation have not been able to commence the 

 hardening of Sydenham Road, which bounds the N.E. side of 

 the gardens, and in consequence the fence which was to be 

 erected as stated in my last Annual Report has not been pro- 

 ceeded with, and it is, perhaps better that all the soil which 

 has to be taken from the Gardens should be removed before the 

 fencing is done ; it is hoped, however, that it will be completed 

 before the next Annual Report is published. 



On the occasion of the visit of the members of the British 

 Association to South Africa in August last, many of the 

 botanical members visited the Gardens, and it is a matter for 

 regret that their time was so short, and that I was not able to 

 give the attention to them that I should have liked ; all that I 

 met expressed their pleasure at what they were able to see 



